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Ht^YtrVz. Unloyi defence CoyyrtTi itti 
II 

REPORTS, 

RESOLUTIONS 



i>oott]>xe:]x^x^j^. 



Union Defense Committee 



CITIZENS OF NEW YOEK. 



NEW YORK: 

BAPTIST & TAYLOR, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, SUN BUILDING, 

CORNEK OF FULrON AND NASSAU STREETS. 

1862. 






ri-^ 



^9 



1^' 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 



New York, July 8, 1862. 

Ordered, — That the Report of the Executive Committee be 
accepted and printed. 



REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

New York, April 30th, 1862. 

At a Meeting of the Executive Committee, liekl on the 2nd 
instant, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, 
namely : — 

1. Resolved, That the final report of expenditures from the 
" City Fund," with a detailed statement of the amount advanced 
to each regiment, be prepared for transmission by the Union De- 
fense Committee to the Mayor and Common Council, together with 
copies of correspondence with the State and United States Gov- 
ernments, in relation to the claims for reimbursements, and such 
other portions of the Committee's proceedings as are of public 
interest. 



2. Resolved, That a detailed statement be prepared without de- 
lay, of the subscriptions to the private Fund, and of the expendi- 
tures therefrom, showing what class of items can be embraced in 
claims for reimbursement. 

In accordance witli the resolutions set forth, the Executive 
Committee have now to submit to the consideration of the Union 
Defense Committee, and for transmission to His Honor the Mayor, 
and the Common Council, should such action be deemed advisable, 
the following report of transactions since the last communica- 
tion to the City Government; and also, a brief review of the op- 
erations of the Union Defense Committee from the commencement 
of their official duties. 

With the view to preserve an unbroken record of these opera- 
tions, the Executive Committee deem it proper to refer to their 
previous reports, bearing date respectively, the 20th of May — the 
29th of June — the 21st of August, 1861 ; and also, to the tables 
and statements accompanying the same, all of which were trans- 
mitted by the Union Defense Committee to the City authorities 
and made public. 

The transactions under review have been mainly confined to the 
organization, outfit and equipment of Volunteers from the City 
and State of New York, under the call of the President of the 
United States; and for a brief period to the duty of relieving 
the families of Volunteer soldiers in the field. 

The funds placed at the disposal of the Union Defense Com- 
mittee, were derived from the following sources, namely : — 

First, A fund created by the Corporation of the City of New 
York, founded on an issue of City Bonds, authorized by Ordinance 
of 25th April, 1861, amounting to one million dollars, bearing in- 
terest at six per cent, per annum, and redeemable on or before 
the first day of May, 1862. (This period has been extended by 
act of the Legislature passed Session 1862, until the 1st of No- 
vember, 1864.) 



Second, Private contributions from citizens of New York, col- 
lected under authority granted in the first instance by the Chamber 
of Couinierce, at a meeting held on the 19th of April, 1861, and 
subsequently by a Mass Meeting of citizens held on the 20th of 
the same month. 

In addition to the above, a special deposit of funds, amounting 
to one hundred and sixty-four thousand nine hundred and seventy- 
one dollars and ninety-eight cents, was made with the Committee, 
for special purposes, by Commissioners of the United States 
Treasury. This account was closed many months since, the money 
having been paid over on the order of the Commissioners, to whom 
a balance sheet was rendered. 

As the Committee had only a temporary custody of these funds, 
without power or discretion as to their appropriation or expendi- 
ture, and never mixed them with the moneys subject to their dis- 
posal, they deem it unnecessary to present any further statement 
with regard to them, beyond the simple reference to the fact that 
such deposit was made, and has been repaid. 

Under the second head — that of the subscription by private 
citizens — the receipts, expenditures, and condition of the fund, 
will form the subject of a special report, now in course of prepar- 
ation, addressed to the Uuion Defense Committee for the informa- 
tion of those by whom the fund was created. 

The principal items of expenditure under the first head, were 
submitted to the Union Defense Committee, and laid before the 
Mayor and Common Council, in the report of the 21st of August 
last. The condensed table of expenditures from this fund, trans- 
mitted herewith, presents a recapitulation of the items above re- 
ferred to, and includes, also, the subsequent and final appropria- 
tions from the same fund. That source of the means placed under 
the control of the Committee, was exhausted on the 24th of Oc- 
tober last. Since that date a sum amounting to one hundred and 
seven thousand and eight dollars and seventy-five cents, has 
been reimbursed to the fund, and the balance sheet to date 
stands as follows : — 



CITY FUISTD. 



Dr. Balance JVEay lOth, 1862, 



1861. 
May 1 — Union Defence Fund, in Bunds issued by City 

of New York, .$1,000,000 00 



$1,000,000 00 



§X. EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT. 

Proceeds of City Bonds to Comptroller, $1,000,000 00 

Less, Appropriation for Relief to Families of Volunteers, 230,350 00 



Balance to Union Defence Fund, 769,650 00 



$769,650 00 



1802. 
May 10— To Balance Account, $662,414 56 



CITY FXJISrD. 

Balance May 10th, 1862. €x, 

1861. 
June 30 — Total Expenditures in Aid of Families of 

Volunteers, $230,350 00 

Oct. 25 — Total Expenditures in Aid to Regiments of 

Volunteers, $771,245 31 

Less Amount received for Muni- 
tions of War, transferred to New 
Jersey and other parties, paid 
for by them, 1,822 00 

769,423 31 
Balance unexpended in City Treasury, 226 69 

$1,000,000 00 
EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT. (J^r. 

Reimbursement for Sale of Arms, &c., to 

United States, $06,793 25 

Reimbursement for Sale of Arms, &c., to 

United States, 40,215 50 

$101,008 75 

Balance in City Treasury, 226 69 

Balance of Expenditure in Aid of Regiments, 662,414 56 

1769,650 00 

Keiftiibursement •Icfounts mnseltled, viz : 

Claims for Advances in Aid to Regiments of Volunteers. 

" for Arms, Ammunition, &c. 

" for Outfit of steamer " Quaker City," against Navy Department. 
Cost of Property on hand, consisting of Arms, Munitions of Wai* 

&c., &c. 



8 



With this g-eneral reference to the finances of the Union De- 
fense Committee, the further purpose of this report is to convey 
the requisite information, to enable that body, in their next com- 
munication to the City Government, to present such facts and 
suggestions as may seem to be called for by obligations of duty, 
and a just sense of the confidence reposed in them. 

There will be found in the appendix to the report copies of 
correspondence and other papers, which may be deemed interest- 
ing to the public, and necessary to a full understanding of the 
influence exercised by the Committee, and the services they have 
rendered in connection with the operations of the war. 

The duties of the Union Defense Committee, were commenced 
at a time when all regular communications with the National 
Capital had ceased of necessity — rail tracks and telegraph lines 
no longer performed their functions; and for many days dis- 
patches between the departments at Washington and the officers 
of the government on this station, were borne by private dispatch 
agents of this Committee. 

In tliis critical condition of public affairs, the Committee did 
not hesitate to adopt, and endeavor to carry into eff"ective opera- 
tion, every measure which seemed to bo called for by a proper 
sense of the exigencies of the country. Their authority was de- 
rived from the proceedings of a mass meeting of citizens, which 
conferred the power to collect funds, and to transact "such other 
business in aid of the movements of the government, as the public 
interests might require." 

The first steps taken by the Committee, were to facilitate the 
equipment and outfit of Regiments of Volunteer Militia and their 
dispatch to the seat of government for the protection of the 
capital. 

The President's call for volunteers, was issued on the 15th 
April, 1861. The organization of the Committee was perfected 
on the 20th — one week from the fall of Fort Sumter. The 
Seventh New York Regiment, Colonel Leflferts, left the city on 
the 19th, on its way to Washington. On Sunday, the 21st of 
that month, the Sixth Regiment, Colonel Pinckney, the Twelfth, 
Colonel Butterfield, and the Seventy-first, Colonel Yosburgh, fol- 



9 



lowed for the same destination. Before the close of the month 
of April, the following Regiments had also taken up their line of 
march : — the Eighth, Colonel Lyons, the Thirteenth, Colonel 
Smith, from Brooklyn, the Fifth, Colonel Schwartzwelder, the 
Sixty-ninth, Colonel Corcoran, the Twenty-fifth, Colonel Bryan, 
from Albany, and the Twenty-eighth, Colonel Bennett, from 
Brooklyn. These Regiments, comprising an effective force of 
over eight thousand men, well equipped and fully armed, were 
thrown into the field under brave and skillful officers, within 
twelve days from the date of the appeal made to the patriotism of 
the country for the defense of the Union. It can scarcely be 
deemed presumptuous to state, that without the active aid of the 
Committee, such celerity in forwarding troops for the defense of 
the capital, could not have been attained. A more general refer- 
ence will be made in the course of this report, to the extent of 
the assistance rendered to the numerous military organizations, 
which made up the vast army contributed by the State of New 
York to the Union cause. 

Communications were speedily opened with the commanding 
officers of the army and navy on this station, and their advice 
was followed in every movement which seemed best adapted to 
secure prompt and efficient action. 

It would be but a simple act of justice for the Committee to re- 
cord their sense of the valuable services rendered to them in the 
cordial co-operation of Commodores Breese and Stringham, of 
the navy, and Major-General Wool, of the army. To the former, 
the Committee were indebted for advice and information in regard 
to important measures, looking to the preservation of the national 
interests on the Atlantic coast ; and to the latter, for the benefit 
of his great experience and judicious counsel in the measures 
necessary for giving protection and subsistence to the numerous 
regiments of volunteer troops organized in haste, and thrown sud- 
denly into sections of the country held by armed insurgents. 

A due acknowledgement of the valuable assistance given to the 
Committee by General Wool, could not well be brought within 
the reasonable compass of a report ; but the Committee will doubt- 
less remember that in several previous instances they have 
o 



10 



expressed to that officer their sense of his services to the country 
and their grateful appreciation of his uniform courtesy and kind- 
ness. The correspondence between the Committee and General 
Wool, on several occasions of interest, might properly appear in 
the appendix. 

The " Quaker City," a superior sea-going steamer, was char- 
tered by the Committee on the 25th of April. A sufficient arma- 
ment was placed on board, and provision made for all requisite 
supplies for a cruise on the Atlantic coast, and for the support of 
the public works held by the Union forces on the Chesapeake Bay. 
Of the importance of the effort thus made to give efficiency to the 
blockade of Southern ports, the following letter from Flag Officer 
S. H, Stringham, an efficient and able officer of the United States 
navy, in command on the Southern seacoast, furnishes abundant 
evidence : 

U. S. S. Minnesota, ) 

Hampton Roads, May llih, 1861. j 
Chairman, Union Defense Committee, New York City ; 

Sir : — I have sent to New York a number of vessels taken here 
for violating the blockade, which has been strictly enforced, and 
will continue to be as far as I am able. 

Knowing the great interest you take in all the eiforts which 
are now being made to suppress the rebellion, I venture to men- 
tion the facts of the captures. As already ordered to New York, 
they are ships " Argo" and " North Carolina," schooners " Cren- 
shaw" and " Haxall," (both of these owned by Mr. Currie of 
Richmond, a violent secessionist, and with secession state clear- 
ances), and bark " Octavia," also owned by same owner and with 
same clearance, four laden with tobacco, one in ballast. 

I hope you will aid us in carrying into eftect the laws against 
these its violators. All I can do in the furtherance of the block- 
ade, ordered to be established along the coast of the rebellious 
states, you may rely shall be done. 

Trusting to the co-operation and approbation of all loyal citi- 
zens, I remain very respectfully your obedient servant, 

S. H. STRINGHAM, 
Senior Flag Officer, Blockade Squadron. 



11 



The following list comprises the captures made by the " Quaker 
City" while engaged under charter: 

May 14— Ship "North Carolina." 

" 25 — Bark " Pioneer," from Liverpool. 

" 25 — Bark " Winifred," from Rio, with coifee. 

" 30 — Schooner " Lynchburg," from Rio. 
June 4— Bark "General Green," from Cuba. 

« 26 — Bark « Sallie Mager," from Rio. 
July 1 — Schooner " Sallie Mears," from Trinidad. 

" 10 — Brig " Amy Warwick," from Rio. 

While these pages are undergoing revision, advices are received 
that the " Amy Warwick" has been condemned by the Admiralty 
Prize Court in Boston, Mass., and both vessel and cargo sold, the 
net proceeds being about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. 

The " Quaker City" was subsequently purchased by the Gov- 
ernment, taken into the service, and is now a national vessel of 
war. 

The Committee are not aware that the log of any one national 
vessel of the blockading squadron, can show a record of more 
efficient services rendered than that of the " Quaker City." It is 
to be regretted that the Committee are not permitted to embrace 
in their report any official acknowledgment of the gallantry and 
persevering devotion to duty shown by the officers of the " Quaker 
City," or to communicate information which would be interesting 
to the city government, that the cost of the outfit and armament 
placed on board that vessel, under the superintendence of officers 
of the navy, has yet been reimbursed by the proper department 
of the Government. 

The amount necessary for such reimbursement will be but an 
inconsiderable proportion of the prize money to be awarded from 
the capture made by the vessel thus supplied by the Committee. 
The Executive Committee have not advanced any claim to a share 
in these prize moneys. This question is left to the decision of the 
Union Defense Committee. 

It will be remembered that on the 19th of April the Sixth Mas- 
sachusetts regiment, in its passage through the streets of Balti- 



12 



more, was attacked by armed rebels, and several lives taken. 
The New York Seventh was joined by a regiment from Massachu- 
setts near the railroad junction, and the two marched together to 
the capital, and thereby gave assurance of its safety, on the 26th 
of that month. 

Immediately after the attack in Baltimore, the railroad track 
was taken up, and the bridges over the neighboring waters de- 
stroyed. On the 23d of April arrangements were perfected for 
obtaining materials and laborers to relay the iron rails on the 
road connecting Baltimore with the Susquehannah. 

The steamer " Kill-von-Kull" was chartered, and supplied with 
provisions and other means to aid in this essential duty. On the 
9th of May, railroad communication was re-opened north of Balti- 
more, and shortly after, by the active agency of volunteer soldiers, 
the line was rendered effective to the seat of government. 

The Committee having been informed on the 25th of April that 
a deficiency of provisions and ammunition had been reported from 
Fort Monroe, and that urgent necessity existed for a supply of 
both, immediate measures were adopted to charter the ocean 
steamer " Keedar," for the purpose of supplying that fortress and 
the neighboring army stations. The " Keedar" was loaded, 
armed, and left for Hampton Roads on the 27th, carrying, in 
addition to the greatly needed supplies, the Fifth Regiment of 
New York Volunteer Militia, commanded by Colonel Schwarzwel- 
der. In forty-eight hours the Fortress was supplied with provis- 
ions and ammunition, and reinforced with troops, and its capture 
by an unscrupulous and enterprising enemy prevented. 

These brief allusions to what was regarded as an important part 
of their duties will not be deemed out of place in an official report 
of the transactions in which the Committee have been engaged. 

The topic now to be discussed embraces the more extended 
operations which have passed under the guidance of the Union 
Defense Conmiittee, and to which they have given the larger por- 
tion of time and attention called for in the discharge of their 
official duties. 

The first call of the President for volunteers restricted the 
number to seventy-five thousand men. Of this force the quota of 



13 



the State of New York was fixed at seventeen regiments of 
seven hundred and eiglity men each. Between the outbreak of 
the insurrection and the 7th of May eleven regiments had pro- 
ceeded to Washington. Of these eight had been materially aided 
by tlie Committee. These regiments were enlisted for short 
terms of service, and all were mustered out at the expiration of 
three montlis. 

Before this period the rebellion had begun to assume more 
fearful proportions, and under tiie act of Congress of July, the 
President had been authorized to accept the services of five hun- 
dred thousand volunteers. 

At the end of July, the quota of the State of New York had 
reached the large number of forty-six regiments, to twenty-six of 
which the Committee had extended aid from the means placed at 
their disposal. 

Finally, with the temporary growth of the power contending 
for the destruction of the Union, arose the necessity for greater 
efforts on the part of the citizens of loyal States for its protec- 
tion. New York, at the close of the year 1861, had increased her 
quota, including the three months' volunteers, to the aggregate of 
ninety-nine regiments of infantry, ten of cavalry, two of artiller}', 
one of engineers ; one battalion of cavalry, two of artillery, one 
rocket battalion, and nine batteries of artillery \ making a total 
of one hundred and twenty-five separate organizations, embracing 
one hundred and twenty thousand three hundred and sixteen 
volunteer soldiers. 

Of this large, well-equipped, and efficient army, bearing, in 
connection with the National flag, the banner of the State of 
New York, the Union Defense Committee have assisted in a 
greater or less degree to place in the field sixty-six regiments. 

A table will accompany this report, showing the particular 
regiments which have received aid from the Conunittee, with the 
names of the commanding officers. 

Early in the movements of the war, the Committee were 
brought into active co-operation with the authorities of the 
State, and they cannot, without a disregard of duty, refrain from 
expressing their sense of the ability and fidelity with which the 



14 

loyal feelings of the people of New York have been combined 
and rendered effective for tlie maintenance of the Constitution 
and the Union. 

Selections from the correspondence had with the Chief Execu- 
tive Magistrate of the State during the past year will appear in 
the appendix, together with the report of the Adjutant-General, 
submitted to the Legislature at its last session, which contains 
much information of value to every patriotic citizen. 

The labors of the Committee have for some montlis been inter- 
mitted, in the belief that the rebellion was fast approaching its in- 
evitable termination. Passing from the more active duty of sus- 
taining the Government in an extreme emergency, the Committee 
find themselves in the discharge of another obligation equally 
binding upon them, and scarcely less arduous in the performance, 
that of presenting and urging the claim of the city of New York 
for reimbursement of the large sums advanced for the outfit and 
equipment of volunteers. 

The Corporation of the City of New York, on the twenty-fifth 
of April, 1861, enacted an ordinance, creating a fund of one mil- 
lion dollars to be placed under the control of the Union Defense 
Committee, to be applied to two objects — namely, the outfit and 
equipment of volunteers, and for the aid or support of the fami- 
lies of soldiers in the field. This ordinance contained a clause 
pledging the reimbursement for advances from the fand, to the 
redemption of the bonds issued to create it. 

The means thus derived have been applied strictly to the ob- 
jects indicated in the ordinance, and on the 25th of October last 
were exhausted. 

To the last-named purpose, the sum of two hundred and thirty 
thousand three hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated and 
paid. The Committee have not believed that any claim could 
justly be urged for the reimbursement of this expenditure by the 
General Government ; but there are reasonable grounds for the 
opinion that an obligation rests upon the State to make good, at 
least in part, this advance from the city treasury. A large por- 
tion of the State quota was recruited in the city of New York. 
Enlistments were greatly stimulated by the knowledge that a 



15 



fund had been provided to supply the wants of families, which 
had lost temporarily their natural protectors. No other munici- 
pality, it is believed, unless it be the city of Brooklyn, has, to 
any considerable extent, shown a like munificent spirit in giving 
effect to the prevalent zeal in behalf of the movements to sustain 
the Government. 

It may well be considered, therefore, whether the legislative 
authority of the State should not take a reasonable share of this 
heavy burden from the treasury of the city. 

Upon the other branch of the subject, the advances made to 
regiments from the city fund, no possible doubt can rest. The 
claim of the city to reimbursement for all advances coming within 
the army regulations, for the " collecting, organizing, and drill- 
ing volunteers," is undeniably just and legal, and the immediate 
repayment should be urged with diligence and energy. 

The Union Defense Committee, under the advice, and acting in 
concert with, the authorities of the city, have submitted to the 
War Department a demand for reimbursement, and have placed 
before the Secretary of that Department the grounds upon which 
the claim is urged. No satisfactory reply has yet been received, 
nor any sufficient reason assigned for the delay which has oc- 
curred in responding to the demand. 

In the appendix will be found portions of the correspondence 
which has been had upon this subject. 

The city must be reimbursed for its advances. Public faith 
and public policy alike forbid that the reliance of the municipal 
authorities upon the sense of justice of the national government 
should be disappointed. The delay which has already taken place 
in reference to this question has compelled the Comptroller to 
ask from the Legislature authority to postpone the redemption of 
the bonds which fell due on the first of May. Before granting 
this authority, a Committee of the House of Assembly made cer- 
tain inquiries in regard to the expenditures from the fund. A 
communication in reply was addressed to the Hon. Mr. Porter, of 
the Assembly, and will be found in the appendix. The response 
was regarded so favorably that all objections were withdrawn, 
and the request of the Comptroller promptly complied with. 



16 



It will be gratifying to the Union Defense Committee to learn 
that the bonds for the extended time were promptly taken by 
capitalists and bankers, and that the original loan was thus sea- 
sonably provided for. 

It may not be out of place to take another view of the question 
of returning to the city treasury the means so liberally provided, 
to meet a pressing public emergency. 

There are three sources to which the city of New York might 
look for the means to reimburse a fund created for so patriotic a 
purpose : 

First, The United States, by the terms of the Law of Congress, 
have provided a fund to reimburse the cost of raising a volunteer 
force. The language used by the War Department, in reference 
to the application of this fund to the purpose named, is singularly 
definite — it is to be applied to meet the expenses of " collectings 
organizing and drilling volunteers.''^ For several months past, funds 
derived from this source have been constantly made available to 
meet similar expenses in other cases. It is to be hoped that like 
justice will be extended to the city of New York. 

Second, The State of New York recognizes on the roll of vol- 
unteer corps placed in the public service, many regiments which 
have received their outfit, in whole or in part, from the fund 
created by the city. It is by no means clear that a just claim 
may not be founded for reimbursements of the cost of these regi- 
ments, from the sum provided by the legislature for similar ob- 
jects. 

Third, The officers and soldiers of volunteer regiments are 
allowed by the regulations of the War Department to draw a cer- 
tain sum monthly, in addition to their pay, to defray the cost of a 
portion of their outfit. In many instances assignments of this 
claim upon the Government were executed to the Committee, and 
are annexed to vouchers in the Comptroller's Office. To set up 
this claim, while it would not be unjust to the parties, or in conflict 
with law, might be deemed invidious, and the enforcement of the 
rule unequal in its operation. 



17 



It would seem, therefore, as the claim on the United States is 
unquestionably founded in justice, that, irrespective of any other 
probable or possible source of relief, it ought to be urged persist- 
ently to a satisfactory conclusion. 

In bringing their active labors to a close, it will probably be 
deemed appropriate for the Union Defense Committee to make 
some allusion to the changes which have occurred in their organi- 
zation. The Executive Committee venture, therefore, to refer to 
these changes. Two resignations and one death have made 
vacancies in the original number of members. Mr. Royal Phelps 
resigned his place on the twenty-second of May, and Judge Greene 
C. Bronson on the seventeenth of June last. 

Mr. Theodore Dehon was one of the earliest and most efficient 
members of the Committee, and its first treasurer. The persever- 
ing devotion with which Mr. Dehon discharged the arduous duties 
devolved upon him, very soon made serious inroads upon his health, 
and weakened a constitution not strong enough to withstand the 
effects of such constant labor. At the close of the month of April, 
he was compelled to relinquish his office of treasurer, and shortly 
after, his membership on the Committee. In the hope of recover- 
ing his impaired health, in company with his family he visited 
Europe, where he lingered for a brief space, and died in London 
on the 24th of June. His courtesy of manner, gentleness of de- 
portment and remarkable aptitude for business, had secured the 
respect of his associates on the Committee, and won their affec- 
tionate regard for his excellent personal qualities. While record- 
ing their sense of the loss sustained in the death of an associate 
and friend, the Committee cannot but find a grateful satisfac- 
tion in the expression of their sympathy with the affliction which 
had fallen so suddenly upon his bereaved and sorrowing family. 

The vacancy in the office of Treasurer, was supplied by the 
election of Mr. A. A. Low. Upon the appointment of Gen. John 
A. Dix. the first Chairman of the Committee, to the office of Major- 
General of the State troops, his resignation was accepted, and 
Mr. Hamilton Fish was elected to succeed him. General Dix con- 
sented to retain his membership on the Committee. Having sub- 
sequently received a commission as Major- General from the Presi- 
3 



18 



dent of the United States, General Dix was entrusted with the 
important command of the Department of Maryland, and has not 
taken part in the proceedings of the Committee since June last. 

On the twenty-second of February last the Union Defense Com- 
mittee invited the citizens of New York, Brooklyn, and vicinity, 
to assemble in mass meeting, to celebrate the anniversary of the 
birth of Washington, and to congratulate the country on the then 
recent triumphs of the national arms. The response to the call 
came from many thousands of loyal citizens. A report of the pro- 
ceedings on that occasion is in preparation, and will be laid be- 
fore the Committee as soon as completed. 

In connection therewith, and in conclusion of their report, the 
Executive Committee oifer their cordial congratulations upon the 
indications daily becoming more apparent that the insurrection 
will certainly be quelled, and the authority of the Government 
acknowledged in every State within the borders of the Union. 

Respectfully submitted, by order of 

The Executive Committee, 

S. DRAPER, 

Chairman. 
Prosper M. Wetmobe, 

Secretary. 



appp:ndix 



E, G A N I Z A T I ]Sr . 



THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY 
OF NEW YORK, AND OF ITS CITIZENS 

OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE STREET 



TY^ 



New York, April 25t/i, 1861. 
The permanent oflfices of this Committee are now established in 
this building-, where, from and after this date, all communications 
must be addressed. 

Committees will meet daily at 12 M. Office hours are from 9 
A. M. to 5 P. M. 

The Executive Committee will meet daily, in addition to the 
above, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, at 8 P. M. 

The United States Government, the State Government, the 
Municipal Authorities, and citizens of New York, are in cordial 
and active co-operation with this Committee. 

The Committee is organized as follows : 
John A. Dix, Chairman, Charles H. Marshall, 

Simeon Draper, Vice-Ch'n, Robert H. McCurdy, 

William M. Evarts, Secretary, Moses H. Grinnell, 
Theodore Dehon, Treasurer, Royal Phelps, 

Moses Taylor, Wm. E. Dodge, 

Richard M. Blatchford, Greene C. Bronson, 

Edwards Pierrepont, Hamilton Fish, 

Alex. T. Stewart, Wm. F. Havemeyer, 

Samuel Sloan, Charles H. Russell, 

John Jacob Astor, Jr., Jas. T. Brady, 

John J. Cisco, Rudolph A. Witthaus, 

Jas. S. Wadsworth, Abiel A. Low, 

Isaac Bell, Prosper M. Wetmore, 

James Boorman, A. C. Richards, 

The Mayor of tlie City of New York, 
The Comptroller of the City of New York, 
The President of the Board of Aldermen, 
The President of the Board of Councilmen, 
4 



22 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 

Simeon Draper, Chairman. John A. Dix {ex officio), 
Theo. Dehon, Tr. {ex officio). Charles H. Russell {ex officio). 

Moses H. Grinnell, James S. Wadsworth, 

A. C. Richards, Isaac Bell, 

Rich. M. Blatchford, Chas. H. Marshall, 

Samuel Sloan, John Jacob Astob, Jr., 

Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary. 

committee of finance. 
Chas. H. Russell, Chairman. A. A. Low, 
James Boorman, Theodore Dehon, 

Moses Taylor. 

committee of correspondence. 
Hamilton Fish, Chairman. Edwards Pierrepont, 

W. M. EvARTS, James T. Brady, 

John J. Cisco. 

committee on subscriptions and collections. 
Alex. T. Stewart, Chairman. William F. Havemeyer, 
William E. Dodge, Rudolph A. Witthaus, 

Robert H. McCurdy, Royal Phelps. 

All appropriations will be made on written applications at the 
office of the Committee, Room 14, No. 30 Pine street. 

Receipts and disbursements, at the office of the Treasurer, 
Room No. 8. 

Published by order of the Executive Committee. 

executive committee. 

AEKANGEME>'T OF SUB-COMMITTEES. 

On Purchase of Arms and Ammunition — Mr. Astor, Mr. Sloan, 

Mr. Richards. 
On Applications for Provisions and Supplies — Mr. Grinnell, Mr. 

Marshall, Mr. Sloan. 
On Aid to Regiments — Mr. Richards, Mr. Wetmore, Mr. Sloan, 

Hon. Fernando Wood, Mayor, Hon. Henry W. 

Genet, President Board of Aldermen. 
On Applications for Belief to Families of Soldiers — Mr. Bell, Mr. 

Marshall, Mr. Grinnell, Hon. Morgan Jones, 

President Board of Councilmen, in connection with 

committees composed of the Aldermen and two 

citizens in each ward. 



23 



On Applications for Transport of Troops and Provisions — Mr. 
Marshall, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Grinnell. 

On Funds — Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Astor, Mr. Bell, Hon. 
Robert T. Haws, Comptroller. 

On Naval Affairs — Mr. Marshall, Mr. Grinnell, Mr. Wads- 
worth. 

Mr. Draper, Chairman, and Mr. Dehon, Treasurer, members ex 
officio of each Standing Committee. 
By order of Executive Committee, 

S. DRAPER, Chairman. 
P. M. Wetmore, Secretary. 



CIRCULAR. 

UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 

OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 

NO. 30 PINE STREET 



J 



April 24, 1861. 

Sir : At a meeting of the citizens of New York, held on Satur- 
day, 20th inst., a committee was appointed to represent the citizens 
in the collection of funds, and the transaction of such other busi- 
ness in aid of the movements of the Government as the public 
interests might require. 

The undersigned have been appointed a Committee of Corre- 
spondence, in behalf of the General Committee constituted at the 
public meeting, and take leaVe respectfully to say, that they will 
be happy to receive any communications of information, advice, or 
suggestion on the subject of the present state of public affairs, and 
to convey any information which they possess or may receive that 
will advance the public interests." 

With this view, they subjoin a copy of the organization of the 
Union Defense Committee and the address of each member of 
the Committee of Correspondence, and beg that any subject of 
interest may be communicated, either by mail or by telegraph, to 
any member of the General Committee, and they promise imme- 
diate attention thereto. 



24 



They beg to be advised of the organization of any similar Com- 
mittees of citizens with which they may put themselves in com- 
munication. 

With great respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

HAMILTON FISH, "] 

WILLIAM M. EVARTS, | Committee 

EDWARDS PIERREPONT, y of 

JAMES T. BRADY, | Correspondence. 

JOHN J. CISCO, J 

N. B. — The Committee has rooms at No. 30 Pine street, open 
all day, and at Fifth Avenue Hotel, open in the evening. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE J 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, h 

OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE STREET. ) 

In General Committee, 27th April, 1861, the following resolu- 
tions, offered by Mr. Boorman, and, as amended by Mr. Russell, 
were passed : 

Resolved, That the duties of the Finance Committee of this 
Association, as prescribed in their proceedings on the 25th inst., 
be hereby altered to read as follows : 

" The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to take charge, 
through the Treasurer of the Association, of all funds contributed 
or appropriated for the use of this Association, to select a safe 
bank depository or depositories for the same, and to keep sepa- 
rate accounts of such funds, viz. : 

•• 1. All derived from voluntary contributions, including 
those made under the action of the Chamber of 
Commerce of the State of New York. 

" 2. Of such as may be appropriated by the State of New 
York. 

" 3. Of such as may be supplied by tlie United States." 



25 



Resolved, That all funds thus received shall be held subject 
to the order of the Executive Committee of this Association, 
payable only on the warrants or requisitions of said Commitee, 
signed in their behalf (in duplicate warrants) by a member of the 
" Sub-Committee on Funds" of the Executive Committee, and 
countersigned by the Chairman of the General Committee, which 
warrants shall, in addition to the amount to be paid, and to 
whom, state, 

1. The purpose for which the money is to be paid. 

2. The vouchers to be required (if any) other than the re- 

ceipts of the receiver. 

3. The fund or account (according to the preceding ar- 

rangement) to which the payment is to be charged. 

Resolved, That the Chairman of the Finance Committee shall 
ex officio be a member of the Executive Committee, and the Comp- 
troller of the city of New York a member of the Finance Com- 
mittee. 

Resolved, That all payments or warrants drawn on the funds of 
the Corporation of the city shall be under such regulations as may 
be established by the Comptroller and the Mayor. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK. 

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, the Chairman sub- 
mitted the following Report, which was read by the Secretary : 

New York, May 20th, 1861. 

In conformity with the usual practice of Committees, and from 
a sense of duty to their constituents, the Executive Committee 
respectfully submit the following 



26 



EEPOKT 



A mass-meeting of the citizens of New York was convened, on 
a general call of the people, at Union Park, on Saturday, the 20th 
day of April last. 

The cause of this assemblage was both unusual and remarkable. 
A great exigency had arisen in the affairs of the country. The 
constitution and the laws had been infringed ; a contest had com- 
menced which threatened the very existence of the national 
authority ; civil war, in the shape of an armed rebellion, was 
about to be waged, under such fearful auspices, that every loyal 
citizen felt it to be his bounden duty to rally, in some way, to the 
support of his country. 

The appeal for aid, in the emergency, came from the Executive 
Head of the nation ; and the answer was that of a united people, 
jealous of the rights, and faithful to the principles, which had 
given them a long career of prosperity, and a name conspicuous 
among the nations of the earth. 

The meeting of the citizens of New York gave the impulse to a 
general uprising in the loyal States of the North and East, which, 
in connection with the patriotic spirit simultaneously evinced in 
the West, has already retarded the progress of rebellion, and, to 
a great extent, restored the confidence recently so seriously 
shaken in the strength and permanency of our institutions. Mil- 
lions of sympathizing friends of constitutional government have 
joined in this great movement of patriotism, and a strong array of 
loyal states and communities now stand side by side with New 
York, in a resolute determination to put down rebellion, and, 
despite all peril, and at whatever cost, to maintain the honor and 
uphold the flag of the country. 



27 



A great change in public feeling and in the condition of public 
affairs has been wrought in one short month. It may not be 
deemed out of place or unprofitable to review briefly the causes 
which have led to this sudden reaction, out of which has grown so 
confident a hope in the future. 

By the action of the people of New York, in mass meeting 
assembled, a committee was appointed, consisting of twenty-six 
citizens, to whose numbers six others were subsequently added. 
The objects sought to be accomplished by the appointment of this 
committee, as stated in the resolution adopted by the meeting, 
were " to represent the citizens in the collection of funds, and the 
transaction of such other business in aid of the movements of the 
government as the public interest may require." 

At the moment of their appointment, the Committee found a 
civil war raging ; portions of the army and navy seriously demor- 
alized ; treason working its will upon the property and flag of the 
country, and the capital of the nation, with all its treasures of 
archives and history lying almost at the mercy of an unscrupulous 
assailant. Arsenals had been pillaged ; public vessels had been 
surrendered without a shot fired in their defense ; bodies of troops 
had laid down their arms in dishonor, and in the judgment of the 
world serious apprehensions were entertained that an unjustifiable 
rebellion might become a successful revolution. 

The Union Defense Committee entered upon their duties at this 
fearful juncture. Their first act was to invite the necessary con- 
tributions to sustain their efforts in the public service. The 
response was given with a cheerful alacrity and general public 
spirit, characteristic of the commercial community of New York, 
whenever a just appeal is made to its patriotic munificence. 

But another response was promptly made to the call for aid, 
which struck the key-note of patriotism throughout the country. 
The city of New York, in its corporate capacity, through the 
action of its municipal authorities, upon the recommendation of its 
Chief Magistrate, contributed a million of dollars, to be applied 
to the equipment and outfit of its soldiers for the field, and for a 



28 



limited period to the support of the families of those who should 
go forth in the cause of the country. No citizen of New York 
will ever turn the page which records that beneficent act, without 
feeling more strongly than ever before his pride justified in, and 
his afi'ection deepened for the noble city, which has thus honored 
its name, and illustrated its annals. 

The next act of the Union Defense Committee was to create of 
its number an Executive Committee of ten members, which was 
subsequently extended to fifteen. To this stated body was as- 
signed the responsible trust of rendering available to the public 
service the large resources placed in the treasury of the Commit- 
tee, The confidence reposed by this proceeding calls for an 
acknowledgment to the constituent body, a faithful discharge of 
all delegated duties and responsibilities, and reports from time to 
time of the progress and results of their labors. 

In this, their first formal report, the Executive Committee have 
deemed it not out of place to recur to the circumstances under 
which they entered upon their onerous duties, or to allude briefly 
to the success which has thus far crowned their exertions. Since 
their organization as a committee, twenty-nine days have elapsed, 
during which period they have held forty-eight meetings, the pro- 
ceedings at all of which are matters of record. They have 
divided the various subjects of labor among their number, in sub- 
committees, from which special reports have been made in detail, 
and may be considered in connection with this more general state- 
ment of facts. 

Three deputations from the Committee have, at different times, 
visited the seat of the National Government, to express with re- 
spectful deference the views they entertained, to communicate 
information of importance to the public service, and to perform 
other duties, which could not safely be committed to other hands. 
They have at times employed special agents, to obtain and com- 
municate information, to stimulate and keep alive the growing 
spirit of loyalty, and thus to accomplish effectually the work 
intrusted to them. 



29 



But there is a view to be submitted which goes beyond the 
mere details of business, and becomes matter for grateful reflec- 
tion, and for the records of history. 

The executive authorities of the State, actuated by a similar 
impulse with that which marked the conduct of the city govern- 
ment, had united with the moving masses of the people, in giving 
their aid and encouragement to the patriotic efforts of the country. 
It will not, however, be deemed arrogant if the Committee state 
that, mainly owing to the exertions of the city and citizens of New 
York, and to the zeal and efficiency of eminent officers, an army 
has been placed in the field, armed and equipped for tlie defense 
of the national cause, in a shorter space of time, and with less 
expenditure of money, than, so far as any record shows, has ever 
before been accomplished by any government, no matter how great 
its power, how abundant its resources, or however powerful the 
motive lor its action. 

With a generous frankness, which confers honor upon the sta- 
tions which they fill, the Chief Executive Officers of the National 
Government, and the distinguished Commanding General of the 
army, have been pleased to say, that the safety of the National 
Capital and the preservation of the Archives of the Government, 
at a moment when both were seriously menaced, may fairly be at- 
tributed to the prompt and efficient action of the State and city 
of New York, united with the vigorous efforts of the noble Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, devoted to the same patriotic objects- 

The condition of the public affairs is now materially changed. 
The Military and Naval Departments of the country are in the 
hands of competent and loyal officers ; order has been restored ; 
vigor and a proper sense of the obligations of duty prevail in the 
public councils ; the people, jealous of their own rights and 
liberties, are content to leave the duties of Government in the 
hands of trusted authorities ; and the time approaches when the 
Union Defense Committee may properly consider the propriety of 
asking to be relieved from a duty which was unsought, yet cheer- 
fully accepted. 
5 



30 

The consciousness of having endeavoured to discharge, efficiently 
and faithfully, a responsible trust, more than repays the Executive 
Committee for the great amount of labor imposed upon them. 
While the cause exists, which calls for continued effort on their 
part, the demand will be met, in the hope and expectation that, 
by vigorous and prompt decision of action at any pressing emer- 
gency, the unjust and indefensible aggressions on the public 
authority of the country may be checked, and peace, order, pros- 
perity, and national honor survive the dangers of an armed re- 
bellion. 

The Executive Committee, in placing before the Union Defense 
Committee of the citizens of New York this general statement of 
their proceedings, and the results obtained by them, venture to 
ask approval of their action, and can feel no greater satisfaction 
than will arise from the sanction of the body from whom their 
authority was derived. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Simeon Draper, Chairman, Hamilton Fish, ex officio, 

Theo. Dehon, ex officio, Chas. H. Russell, ex officio, 

■Abiel a. Low, ex officio, John A. Dix, 

Moses H. Grinnell, James S. Wadsworth, 

A. C. Richards, Isaac Bell, 

Samuel Sloan, John Jacob Astor, Jr., 

Richard M. Blatchford, Charles H. Marshall, 
Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary. 



31 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW Y 
OFFICE, No. 30 PINE 



fORK, V 

STREET, ) 



New York, May 20th, 1861. 

To THE Honorable the Mayor and Comivion Council of the City 
OF New York: 

We have the honor to inclose a report of the Union Defense 
Committee of the City of New York, on the subject of the disburse- 
ments of this Committee, under the ordinance of the City Govern- 
ment, approved April 25, 1861. 

We have the honor to be your obedient servants, , 

HAMILTON FISH, 

Chairman. 
Wm. M. Evarts, 

Secretary. 

To THE Honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the City 
OF New York : 

The Union Defense Committee of the City of New York have 
the honor to report to the Mayor and Common Council of the City 
of New York, that in the administration of the trust reposed in 
this Committee, in and by the ordinance of the Common Council 
approved by the Mayor on the 23d day of April, 1861, in the dis- 
bursement of the sum of one million of dollars, appropriated in and 
by said ordinance, they have expended, for the uses and purposes 
prescribed by the terms of said ordinance, the amounts hereinafter 
stated. 

Under the direction of the Sub-Committee, on " applications for 
provisions and supplies," for provisions and water-proof blankets, 
the sum of |4,100. 



32 



Under the direction of the Sub-Committee, "on purchase of 
arms and ammunition," for those articles, the siun of $155,479. 

Under the direction of the Sub-Committee, "on aid to regi- 
ments," they have made appropriations under four principal heads, 
as follows : 

I. For the subsistence of the soldiers while the process of or- 
ganization and formation of regiments for acceptance by the State 
or by the General Government was going on. 

II. For clothing to the most destitute volunteers. 

III. For the expenses of recruiting stations. 

JY. For uniforms, generally fatigue uniforms, and equipments 
and accoutrements. 

These appropriations have been in aid of fifty-four different 
regiments, complete and incomplete, and in the whole amount to 
th sum of 1272,975.78, on account of which, requisitions upon the 
Comptroller to the amount of $224,893.68 have been issued, leav- 
ing a balance of such appropriations, not yet drawn, of $48,082.10. 

The aggregate amount of the disbursements of the appropriation 
by the city, actually made by the Committee under all the fore- 
going heads of expenditure, is $384,472.68, not including the 
unexpended sum of $48,082.10, appropriated by the Committee. 

Under the other branch of expenditures contemplated by the 
ordinance, that of " aid and support of the families of such officers 
and men as may require the same," the Committee, up to the even- 
ing of May 18th, inst., have disbursed the sum of $34,300, applied 
to the use of 3,026 families, dependent upon volunteers connected 
with forty-three diiferent regiments, comijlete and incomplete. 

The number of families now receiving aid from the Committee 
is such as to require an expenditure, at the present rates of supply. 



33 



of about $38,000 per week, and in the opinion of the Committee, 
additions will shortly be made, in all probability, to the number 
of beneficiaries, which will increase the weekly expenditure under 
this head, to about |50,000. 

In respect of the future requirements of the Committee for the 
continuance of their action in aid of " the necessary equipment and 
outfit of the military force of the city of New York," the Commit- 
tee have come to the following conclusions : 

Firsts That it is inexpedient for this Committee, or for the cor- 
porate authorities of the city, or for the citizens at large, to give 
any further aid, in any form, in favor of any regiment or other 
organization of troops, which is not to enlist for the period of 
three years or the war, or which the Government of the Unit(^d 
States is not ready to receive into its service immediately on the 
completion of such organization. 

Second, That beyond furnishing such aid as may fairly fall 
within their duty, in the administration of the funds intrusted to 
their charge, towards putting in the field the fourteen regiments 
to be selected by the Committee, under the order issued by the 
Secretary of War, on the 14th day of May inst., this Committee 
should take no part in assisting further organizations of troops in 
this city, until a further call for troops shall be made by the Gen- 
eral Government, which shall give some new occasion for the 
action of the Committee. 

If the action of the Committee in respect of the organization and 
movement of troops be limited as above suggested, the further ex- 
penditures of the Committee under this head, as near as they can 
estimate, will require about the sum of $200,000. 

In regard to that branch of expenditures, contemplated by the 
ordinance, which relates to aid to the families of volunteers, the 
Committee beg leave respectfully to present for the consideration 
of the Common Council the following suggestions : 



-4-. 



34 



At the time that this ordinance was passed, the only call for 
troops for the service of the General Government which had been 
made, was that of the President's proclamation of the 15th April, 
which provided for only a three months service. The sudden 
emergency which led to the issue of this proclamation, required 
that its call should be instantly obeyed, and the spirit and alacrity 
with which the people of the loyal States, as well as the public 
authorities of those States, responded to this call, showed that the 
public necessity was well understood. It was apparent, that to be 
of any benefit to the Government in this moment of need, the 
troops that should be supplied for this three-months service would 
need to be put upon their march instantly, and that existing or- 
ganizations of troops, for the most part, with such supplements of 
volunteers as could be rapidly furnished, would alone be available 
for the emergency. It was obvious, therefore, that many soldiers 
having families dependent upon their earnings for support would 
be obliged to throw down their employments at the call of the 
country, without time or opportunity to make any arrangements 
for those dependent upon them, and all this for a military service 
of the brief duration of three months. It became, therefore, and 
was so recognized, a plain duty of the city authorities, and of 
patriotic citizens by private contributions, to justify this instant 
sacrifice of the interests of their families by the citizen soldiery, by 
an immediate and efficient provision for their present support. 
This, in the opinion of the Committee, was the motive upon which 
the appropriation of the City Government, in aid of the families 
of volunteers, and the contributions of citizens to the same object, 
were prompted, and which led to uniting the duty of disbursing 
this aid, with the other principal duty of facilitating the organiza- 
tion and movement of troops, assigned to this Committee by the 
generous confidence of their fellow-citizens. 

It is not, perhaps, for this Committee to say how far, or in what 
shape, this principle of public or private aid to the families of 
volunteers, who shall become a part of the more permanent mili- 
tary forces of the State or Federal Government, under the later 
proclamation of the President, calling for a three-years enlistment. 



35 



should be maintained or applied. It is apparent that the circum- 
stances of the less sudden enlistment, and of the more permanent 
employment of this later levy, distinguish the case of these volun- 
teers from that of the first instantaneous rally of volunteers, under 
the proclamation of April 15th. The Committee are, however, of 
opinion, that if a general and permanent system of aid to families 
of volunteers is to be maintained, and applied to the more perma- 
nent organization of forces, from appropriations to be made from 
the City Treasury, the disbursement of such funds, involving the 
distribution of something like |2,500,000 per annum of public 
moneys, through a possible period of several years, would be a sub- 
ject unsuitable for continued, administration by this Committee. 

If, however, this Committee should continue to administer the 
disbursement of the aid to the families of volunteers, a further 
appropriation for that purpose would be required from the City 
Government, as the balance of the one million, appropriated by 
the ordinance of April 23d, not already expended or not required, 
under the above estimate, for putting the fourteen regiments in 
the field, will be exhausted in a few weeks, at the rate of supply 
to families now afibrded by the Committee. 

In estimating any probable sum that may be required for further 
aid to the families of needy volunteers, the Committee are decided 
in the opinion, and beg leave respectfully so to represent to the 
Honorable the Mayor and Common Council, that the principle 
should be adopted of extending such aid in no case beyond the 
period of three months after the volunteer's enlistment. 

By order of the Committee, 

HAMILTON FISH, 

Chairman. 
William M. Evaets, 

S'icretary. 



36 



THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY \ 

OP NEW YORK, AND OF ITS CITIZENS, (- 

OFFICE, No. 30 PINE STREET, j 

New York, May 10th, 1861. 

The offices of this Committee are established in this building, 
where, from and after this date, all communication must be 
addressed. 

Committees will meet daily, at 1 2 M. Office hours are from 9 
A. M. to 5 P. M. 

The Executive Committee will meet daily, in addition to the 
above, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, at 8 P. M. 

The United States Government, the State Government, the 
municipal authorities, and citizens of New York, are in cordial 
and active co-operation with this Committee. 

The Commitee is organized as follows: 

HAMILTON FISH, Chairman. 
SIMEON DRAPER, Vice-Chairman. 
THEODORE DEHON, Treasurer. 
WILLIAM M. EYARTS, Secretary. 

Abiel a. Low, Tr. ad interim, MosES H. Gkinnell, 
MosES Taylor, Royal Phelps, 

Richard M. Blatchford, Wm. E. Dodge, 

Edwards Pierrepont, Greene C. Bronson, 

Alex. T. Stewart, John A. Dix, 

Samuel Sloan, Wm. F. Havemeyer, 

John Jacob Astor, Jr., Charles H. Russell, 

John J. Cisco, Jas. T. Brady, 

Jas. S. Wadsworth, Rudolph A. Witthaus, 

Isaac Bell, James Boorman, 

Charles H. Marshall, Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Robert H. McCurdy, A. C. Richards. 

The Mayor of the City of New York, 

The Comptroller of the City of New York, 

The President of the Board of Aldermen, 

The President of the Board of Councilman. 



37 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 

OP THE CITIZENS OP NEW YORK, 

OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE STREET. 



} 



New York, May 18th, 1861. 

Conditions on which Eegiments will be accepted for immediate 
service, under the authority granted to this Committee, by the 
President of the United States. 

I. — Regiments designated, to be inspected on the same day, and as 
nearly as practicable, at the same hour. 

II. — Commissioned Officers of all such Regiments must signify their 
assent to these conditions by affixing their names to the printed 
regulations which accompany this notice; and also by strict 
compliance with the following : 

1 . The service to be for three years, or for the war, at the 

option of the President. 

2. The Roll of Commissioned and Non-Commissioned officers 

to be delivered to the Inspector at this office before the 
hours named for inspection. 

3. Company rolls, properly authenticated, to be exhibited to 

the Inspector. 

4. Requisitions for clothing and equipments to be submitted 

in detail to the Committee for their consideration. 

5. A statement of camp equipage, required in conformity with 

army regulations, to be furnished to the Committee as 
early as practicable. 

6. Return of arms in possession of the Regiment, and an 

accurate statement of the number and description required 
to complete the armament to be furnished to the Inspector. 
6 



38 

7. Estimate of the total amount of money required to place 

the Regiment in condition for immediate service, regard 
being had, in every instance, to economy and efficiency, 
to be furnished for the consideration of the Committee 
immediately. 

8. An accurate statement of all existing debts incurred in the 

equipment or outfit of the Regiment to be furnished pre- 
vious to the inspection. 

9. The Roll of each Company to state the residence of each 

member for the last six months. 

By order of the Executive Committee, 

S. DRAPER, 
Chairman Executive Committee, 

P. M. Wetmore, 

Secretary Executive Committee. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW Y( 
OFFICE, No. 30 PINE 

In Executive Committee. 

New York, May 2Sd, 1861. 



i'ORK, V 

STREET. ) 



The Committee appointed to make proper arrangements for the 
inspection of the ten Regiments, respectfully report : 

The inspection will take place on Saturday, 25th inst., at 3 
o'clock, P. M. The ground selected for the parade of the Regi- 
ments is Fourteenth street, from Tenth avenue to the East River, 
in the following order, namely, right resting on Tenth avenue : 

No. 1. Anderson Zouaves, on block between 10th and 9th 
avenues. 



39 

No. 2. De Kalb Regiment, ou block Letweeu 9th and 8th 
avenues. 

No. 3. MozAET Regiment, on block' between 8th and 7th 
avenues. 

No. 4. Tammany Regiment, ou block between 7th and 0th 
avenues. 

No. 5. Garibaldi Guards, on block between 6th and 5th 
avenues. 

No. 6. Adams' New York Legion, on block between 5th and 
4th avenues. 

No. 7. Second Firemen's Zouaves, on block between 4th and 
3d avenues. 

No. 8. Eleventh Regiment, on block between 3d and 2d 
avenues. 

No. 9. First Scott Life-Guard, on block between 2d and 
1st avenues. 

No. 10. Fifty-Fifth Regiment, Colonel Le Gal, on block be- 
tween 1st avenue and avenue A. 

The Committee desire that the police authorities may be re- 
quested to furnish proper protection on the line of parade, and 
that the Secretary give due notice to all parties interested. 



(Signed) 



SAMUEL SLOAN, 
JOHN J. ASTOR, Junr., 
R. M. BLATCHFORD, 
FERNANDO WOOD. 



New York, May 23d, 1861. 

The Report of the Select Committee was adopted, and ordered 
to be furnished to the Commanding Officers of the several Regi- 
ments to be inspected. 



40 

Commanding Officers who are not yet supplied with the proper 
blanks, will send for them at the office, No. 30 Pine street, before 
the time of inspection. 

By order of the Executive Committee, 

S. DRAPER, Chairman. 
P. M. Wetmore, Secretary. 



union defense committee, -j 

of the citizens of new yoke, v 

office, no. 30 pine stteet. ) 

In Executive Committee. 

New York, May 24th, 1861. 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTION OF REGIMENTS. 

Colonels of regiments will report at the house of Hon. Moses 
H. Grinnell, Fourteenth street, corner of Fifth avenue, at half- 
past two o'clock, P. M., on Saturday, 25th inst.. 

The inspection will commence at three o'clock, P. M., precisely, 
and will be conducted by members of the Union Defense Committee 
in person, to whom official reports will be made. 

The. Committee will be assisted in the Military details by 
Colonel Keyes, Lieutenant Dodge, and Doctor Crawford, of the 
United States Army, and Brigade Major Smith, of the First Brig- 
ade New York State Militia, who will be respected accordingly. 

Published by order of the Executive Committee, 

SIMEON DRAPER, 

Chairman Executive Committee. 

Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Secretary. 



41 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 1 

OF THE CITZENS OF NEW YORK, > 

NO. 30 PINE STREET. ) 

New York, August 21 6-^, 1861. 

To THE Honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the City 
OF New York: 

Gentlemen — We have the honor to submit, herewith, two sever- 
al Reports of the Executive Committee, bearing date, respectively, 
29th June and 20th August, which have this day been adopted, 
and, together with an Abstract of Expenditures from the City 
Fund, ordered to be transmitted to the Common Council. The 
detailed Reports are open to examination. 

Very respectfully, 

Your ob't servants, 

S. DRAPER, 

Vice-Chairman. 

Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Secretary pro tern. 



42 



REPORT TO THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 
JLine 29tli, 1861. 

THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE J 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, V 

OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE STREET. ) 

New York, June 29th, 1861. 

At a meeting held this day, the following Report was received 
and adopted: 

The Executive Committee, in the discharge of the duties confi- 
ded to them, submitted a Report to the Union Defense Committee, 
on the 20th day of May last, and, resuming the record of their 
labors, now ask leave to present the following 

REPORT: 

The routine business of the Committee had continued iminter- 
rupted in its daily performance until the 8th instant, on which day 
an order was made to hold weekly meetings on each Wednesday, 
and on other days whenever convened by the Chairman in connec- 
tion with two members. Up to and including the 8th, the number 
of meetings held by the Executive Committee was seventy-three, 
of which thirty-five were evening meetings, held at the Fifth Ave- 
nue Hotel. These have been discontinued since the 28th of May. 
The total number of meetings to date is seventy-eight. 

The duties confided to the Union Defense Committee, though 
not very clearly defined in the terms of the resolutions adopted at 
the meeting of citizens, were understood to have special reference 
to providing means for creating and sustaining a military force, 
to be used in the public service of the country. 



43 

Early in the progress of their labors, the Union Defense Com- 
mittee appointed a subordinate body, which has been known as the 
Executive Committee, to whose hands the details of the business 
have been mainly confided, and upon whom must naturally rest a 
large portion of the responsibility incurred in the discharge of 
duties alike important, multifarious, and burdensome. This fact 
may perhaps justify the Executive Committee in entering at some 
length upon a statement of the course and progress of their labors. 

In tracing the transactions of the Committee, it is necessary to 
recur for a moment to the condition of the country when the citi- 
zens of New York felt themselves called upon to take part in 
instituting measures of public safety. 

The national authorities had made an earnest appeal to the loyal 
feelings of the people, for aid in defending the Constitution and 
executing the laws. The response of the city and State of New 
York was prompt and effectual. Money was freely contributed, 
as well from private as from public sources ; citizen soldiers, and 
masses of the people, engaged in the ordinary occupation of civil 
life, sprang to arms as if every man's home was endangered ; and 
the hearts and hands of female benevolence inspired and actuated 
by motives of patriotism, were instantly occupied in preparations 
to soften the hardships of the camp, and to mitigate the sufterings 
of the hospital. 

In the midst of such an unusual outburst of public sentiment, 
the labors of the Committee coumicnced, and have been assidu- 
ously continued. Tliere was one great need apparent to every mind 
that considered the emergency, which was, the necessity of placing 
an effective military force at the national capital, in the shortest 
possible time. That this necessity was fully appreciated and 
promptly met, as well by New York as by other loyal States, the 
public annals will show. Massachusetts may justly claim the merit 
of having placed the first regiment of citizen defenders of the Con- 
stitution in the field, but her patriotic soldiers were promptly fol- 
lowed, and speedily outnumbered, by those of New York. The 



44 

Seventh Regiment, commanded by Colonel Marshall Lefferts, so 
long the pride of the city of New York, abandoned the ties of 
home and business, and with an alacrity that has scarcely a paral- 
lel in military history, marched its thousand disciplined men 
steadily to the capital, where it performed efficiently and faith- 
fully, all its duties, and whence it has returned, at the close of its 
full term of service, distinguished by the grateful commendation of 
the President, and the Commanding General of the Army. A de- 
tachment of two hundred men of the reserve of this regiment, led 
by Captain E. L. Viele, was the first military body which opened 
the passage and passed to the city of Washington by the Potomac 
River. Much credit was justly accorded to that officer, for the 
skill, spirit and perseverance evinced by him on the occasion re- 
ferred to. 

Following the Seventh, were the regiments of State Militia, aid- 
ed and encouraged by the contributions of the citizens, and stimu- 
lated by the exertions of the Committee. The Seventy-first, led by 
the gallant and lamented Vosburgh ; the Sixth, Twelfth, Eighth, 
Fifth and Sixty-ninth, were speedily in the field, and were fol- 
lowed, at short intervals, by the Second, Ninth and Seventy-ninth. 
These corps are a portion of the standing quota of the State Mili- 
tia. With these also went forward, from our neighboring city of 
Brooklyn, the Thirteenth, Twenty-eighth and Fourteenth, com- 
prising a well-equipped and efficient body of three thousand Citizen 
Soldiers, led by accomplished and skillful officers. 

Thirteen Regiments of the State Militia have thus passed into 
the public service, under the auspices of the Committee, and they 
confidently trust and believe that loyal gallantry will be the dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of these soldiers while bearing the 
National flag. 

From Ulster, the Twentieth Regiment of Militia, commanded 
by a New York merchant. Colonel Pratt, was also greatly com- 
medned for its discipline and efficiency, while encamped in this 
city preparatory to its departure for the South. 



45 

But the exigency in which the country found itself, at the out- 
break of the Rebellion, rendered it an indispensable duty, on the 
part of the President, to summon Volunteer Soldiers to the field. 
The quota of the State of New York was fixed at thirty-eight 
regiments ; to this number others were added, as a special act of 
courtesy to this Committee on the part of the President and the 
War Department. The total number of Volunteer Regiments now 
organized and in the field, or prepared for service, is forty-two, 
which, with the fourteen Militia Regiments, including the Twenty- 
fifth, carries up the quota of the State of New-York to the noble 
aggregate of fifty-six regiments, or about fifty thousand men. 

In glancing over the list of these hastily organized defenders of 
liberty and public law, the attention of the Committee will doubt- 
less be attracted to the various corps which, from time to time, 
have excited an interest, more or less deep, in the community, on 
their departure from the city. To none will this interest attach 
more closely than to the effective body of men composed of a selec- 
tion from the Pire Department of New York, led by a young and 
gallant officer, who has already redeemed with his life the obliga- 
tions of duty and patriotism which he owed to his country. The 
name of Elmer E. Ellsworth will be remembered, his chivalrous 
bearing as a soldier admired and honored, and his premature death 
at the hands of an assassin deplored, whenever the writer of our 
history shall depict the events of the contest in which we are 
engaged. 

Another high-spirited and accomplished officer, the commander 
of the second Militia Regiment which entered the field. Colonel 
Abraham Vosburgh, of the Seventy-first, is also numbered with 
the dead. Highly esteemed as a citizen, conspicuous for his mili- 
tary capacity and his earnest devotion to the service he had chosen, 
the city whose local annals his patriotic conduct has illustrated, 
will not suffer his self-sacrificing example to pass without a fitting 
record of his merit. 

For the information of the Committee, a table has been prepared, 
giving the number or title of each of the regiments forming the 
7 



46 

quota of the State of New York, the name of its commanding 
oflQcer, and its location at the present time, either in the field, or 
in cantonment, so far as can be accurately ascertained. This table 
will appear in the Appendix to the Report. 

Of the fifty-six regiments actually accepted for service by the 
proper authorities of the State or National governments, the aid of 
the city and citizens of New York has, up to the present time, 
been extended, through this Committee, to thirty-six regiments, 
and engagements have been made in regard to others. The names 
or numbers of these regiments, together with the amount of appro- 
priation to each, will form the subject of a further Report, as early 
as it can be completed. The time has not arrived for ascertaining, 
with certainty, whether the means thus appropriated in aid of regi- 
ments have always been wisely applied. That they have been 
applied with an earnest desire to accomplish the best results, to 
insure the greatest amount of public usefulness, and to furnish the 
aid required by the Government with the least possible waste of 
time, the Committee can venture to assert with a confident reli- 
ance on the correctness of the statement. That no instance of 
want of fidelity on the part of those in whom they have been com- 
pelled by circumstances to repose trust and confidence, has come to 
the knowledge of the Committee, or has been matter of suspicion 
to them, is a source of unalloyed and most grateful satisfaction. 

In the outfit and equipment of the numerous regiments which 
have occupied the attention of the Committee, and shared in the 
bounty of the citizens, it was not to be expected that anything like 
an equality of expenditure for each could be obtained. In some 
cases the regiments, when brought to the notice of the Committee, 
were far advanced in their preparations for service; in others, no 
progress had been made ; while in a few instances private contri- 
butions, to a considerable amount, had preceded those of the Com- 
mittee. In all cases brought to their notice, the one great object 
was kept steadily in view — that of placing the required force in 
the field of action at the earliest moment compatible with a due 
preparation for effective service. That service has been commenced 



47 

— active operations in the field have already become matters of 
record, and it cannot but be a subject of grateful reflection to our 
people, that no portion of the army has performed its duties more 
elFectually, or stands higher in the judgment of the public authori- 
ties, than that which the State of New York has sent forth as the 
evidence of her fidelity to the Constitution and her devotion to 
the Union. 

Fifty thousand soldiers have been freely contributed by the 
State of New York, from its masses of loyal and faithful citizens, 
to the public service of the country in a time of war. These thou- 
sands have passed into the great aggregate of the national forces, 
in every instance, as detached regiments. Upon their arrival at 
the various scenes of action, or while awaiting the proper orders 
for entering on active duty, they have been mustered and brigaded 
under officers of the United States Government. One general offi- 
cer of the State Militia, Major-General Sandford, has followed 
that portion of his command detailed for service into the field ; his 
commission has been recognized, and he is now on duty at the 
national capital. The Committee have recently learned, with 
much satisfaction, that a General Officer commanding a division of 
Volunteers, Major-General Dix, has been called into service from 
this State, to whom an important command has been confided. 
These are the only General Officers thus far placed in the field 
from the State of New York. 

The Committee are rapidly approaching the termination of the 
labors they had marked out as essential to be accomplished. The 
last three of the regiments accepted under the authority of the 
President, by the order of 1 5th May last — namely, the " De Kalb," 
"Mozart," and "Tammany" — are fully equipped, and will speedi- 
ly be in readiness to receive the arms provided by the Government, 
to render them effective for service. When these regiments shall 
be placed in the field, the Union Defense Committee will have 
largely assisted in adding thirty-five regiments of citizen soldiers 
to the army of the nation, and will thus have performed the prin- 
cipal portion of the duty they had undertaken as the accredited 
representatives of the citizens of New York. 



48 

There is, however, another and none the less important serTice 
which is to be prosecuted to its proper completion by the Union 
Defense Committee ; this is comprised in that branch of their 
duties which relates to the " Relief of the Families of Soldiers." 
Of the large appropriation made by the city authorities, a portion 
was set apart for this object, and relief has already been extended 
to many thousands of the wives, children, and parents of soldiers 
now in the field, at an expenditure of more than two hundred thou- 
sand dollars. 

This onerous duty has been thus far performed under the direc- 
tion of a Select Committee of this body, in conjunction with dele- 
gates from the two Boards of the Common Council for each Ward 
of the city. That the relief was greatly needed and has been 
gratefully received, each day's recurring crowd of applicants 
furnishes abundant testimony ; and there can be no question that 
the duty has been performed with efficiency, impartiality, and 
fidelity. 

The Committee have already indicated their opinion that this 
action must speedily cease, the condition of the Fund made appli- 
cable to this purpose being n,early exhausted ; but the Committee 
cannot avoid expressing the belief, that this work of benevolence, 
instituted by the City Government, will be regarded as a crown- 
ing merit in their patriotic action in support of the national autho- 
rity. 

There is another duty, which the Executive Committee feel it 
incumbent on them to bring to the notice of the Union Defense 
Conmiittee. 

The authorities of the State of New York and of the United 
States, are, by existing laws, under certain circumstances, bound 
to provide clothing, subsistence, and other necessaries for militia 
and volunteer soldiers mustered into the public service. In many 
of the cases of regiments aided by the Committee, the force of the 
emergency did not admit of the delay necessary to obtain these 
essential supplies from the authorities mentioned ; advances were 



49 



consequently made in many instances, and supplies furnished, to 
enable the regiments to go speedily forward. The obligation rest- 
ing upon the public authorities is in no sense invalidated by this 
action on the part of the Committee ; and it is evidently an im- 
perative duty to present and urge, at the proper time and place, 
the reimbursement of all such advances made to regiments organ- 
ized or in process of organization. 

In reference to this subject, and in conclusion of their Report, 
the Executive Committee submit the following resolution, and 
recommend its adoption : 

Resolved, That it is expedient to adopt proper measures to bring 
before the authorities of the State of New York, and of the United 
States, at the earliest period practicable, claims for reimbursement 
of moneys expended by this Committee, in the equipment and out- 
fit of regiments organized under the call of the President of the 
United States. 

Respectfully submitted. 

By order of the Executive Committee. 

S. DRAPER, 

Chairman Ex. Com. 
Prospek M. Wetmore, 

Secretary Ex. Com. 



APPENDIX 



Report June 29th, 1861, 



TABLE of Regiments assisted by the Union Defense Committee. 



N. Y. STATE MILITA— FOURTEEN REGIMENTS. 



2d Eegt. Col. Tompkins. 



ISthReo-t. Col. Smith. 



5th " 




Schwarzwelder. 


14th 


a 


" Wood. 


6th " 




Pinckney. 


28th 


a 


" Bennett. 


7th " 




Leflterts. 


55th 


a 


« LeGal. 


8th " 




Lyons. 


69th 


a 


" Corcoran. 


9th " 




Styles. 


71st 


a 


" Martin 


12th " 




Butterfield. 






(Late Vosburgh.) 








79th 


a 


" Cameron. 



N. Y. STATE VOLUNTEERS— TWENTY-TWO REGIMENTS. 



1st Regt. 


Col 


Allen. 


15th Regt 


Col. Murphy. 


4th 


a 


ii. 


Taylor. 


17th 




" Lansing. 


5th 


C( 


a 


Duryee. 


20 th 




" Weber. 


6th 


a 


a 


Wilson. 


25th 




" Kerrigan. 


7th 


a 


li 


Bendix. 


31st 




" Pratt. 


8th 


a 


a 


Blcnker. 


32d 




" Mathesson. 


9th 


a 


a 


Hawkins. 


36th 




" Innis. 


10th 


a 


a 


McChesney. 


37th 




« McCunn. 


11th 


(( 


11 


Farnham 


38th 




« Ward. 








(Late Ellsworth.) 


Mozai 


■t Regt., Col. Riley. 


Garibaldi Guard, D'Utassy. 


Tammany Regt., Col. Kenn( 


DeKalbRegt., 


Von Gilsa. 









51 



STATE OF NEW YORK TEOOPS IN FIELD. 

Volunteers 38 Regiments. 

Committee Regiments 4 

— 42 Rcgts. 

Militia 14 " 

Total 56 « 



Present location : 

At Washington, Volunteers 16 Regts. 

At or near Washington, Militia 13 " 

— 29 Regts. 

At Fortress Monroe, Volunteers 10 " 

At or near New York, " 9 " 

Viz. : 15th Regt., Murphy. 
25th " Kerrigan. 
32d " Mathcsson. 
36th " Inuis. 
55th " Le Gal. 
De Kalb, Garibaldi, 
Tammany and Mozart. 

Elsewhere in the State of New York, viz. : 

A t Elmira 5 Regts. 

At Albany 2 " 

At Troy, 1 " 



Total 56 " 



52 

Union Defense Committee, ) 

New York, August 21, 1861. j" 

To his Honor the Mayor and Common Council of the City of 
New York : 

Gentlemen — We have the honor to submit, herewith, two seve- 
ral Reports of the Executive Committee, bearing date respectively 
29th June and 20th August, which have this day been adopted, 
and together with an abstract of expenditures from the City Fund, 
ordered to be transmitted to the Common Council. The detailed 
Reports are open to examination at tliis office. 

We subjoin, likewise, detailed Report and Statements of Sub- 
Committee on " Relief to Families of Soldiers." 

Very respectfully, 

Your ob't serv'ts, 

S. DRAPER, 

Vice-Chairman. 

Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Secretary pro tern. 



i 



-1 



53 



REPORT TO THE UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

AUG-UST 2 1st, 1861. 



, UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 1 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, >■ 

OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE. STREET, ) 

New York, August 21st, 1861. 

At a meeting held this day, the following Report was received, 
adopted, and ordered to be transmitted to the Common Council : 

The Executive Committee, referring to their previous Reports 
to the Union Defense Committee, under date, severally, of the 
20th of May and 29th of June, now submit a report of Expendi- 
tures in connection with the Fund created by the City Govern- 
ment, from the proceeds of one million of dollars of Corporation 
bonds, viz. : 

First. Abstract of expenditures in aid of Regiments of State 
Militia. 

Second. Abstract of expenditures in aid of Regiments of Vol- 
unteers. 

Third. Abstract of expenditures in aid of organizations not 
completed. 

Fourth. Statement of the appropriation made for purchase 
of arms, &c., and to the Fund for Relief of Fam- 
ilies of Soldiers. 

These statements comprise all the drafts made on the City Fund, 
up to the 31st of July, amounting in the aggregate to the follow- 
ing: 

8 



54 

Aid to ten Regiments of Militia $157,336 97 

Aid to twenty-six Regiments of Volunteers 349,846 23 

Aid to incomplete organizations 24,947 77 

Purchase of Arms, Ammunition, Tents, Baggage 

Wagons and Ambulances 226,589 27 

$758,720 24 
Appropriated to relief of families 230,000 00 

Total amount of drafts 1988,720 24 



Leaving a balance in the hands of the Comptroller on 

the 31st of July, of $11,279 76 

The thirty-six regiments above referred to, do not include the 
Seventh, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-eighth Regiments of 
Militia, all of which were aided, to a moderate extent, from the 
private fund of the citizens of New York. 

Some explanation may be necessary to a right understanding of 
the items contained in the table of expenditures. 

It will be observed, that in regard to four of the Regiments, 
the appropriations to each far exceed those in all other cases. 

The following are the figures : 

Mozart Regiment $67,099 83 

Garibaldi Guards $47,517 56 

From private fund 6,336 00 

53,853 56 

Tammany Regiment, now Jackson Guard 47,146 65 

DeKalb Regiment 43,891 50 



Total $211,991 54 



Average cost $52,997 88 



55 

These were the only regiments of which the entire cost was 
defrayed by the Union Defense Committee. Every article of 
clothing and equi{)ment for these regiments was furnished by the 
Committee, together with rations for almost a thousand men each, 
for a period of two months. 

In every other case, save these, the regiments assisted by the 
Committee, received aid from private sources or from the authori- 
ties of the State of New York. In the latter class of volunteers, 
are embraced eighteen regiments of the State quota ; and in the 
former, ten regiments of the State Militia, each of which was 
organized and in part equipped when called into service. 

A detailed statement of expenditures from the Citizens' Fund is 
in course of preparation, and will be submitted to the Union De- 
fence Committee, whenever an order to that effect shall be made. 
The results in regard to this fund vary constantly, and the items 
of expenditure, when embraced in a detailed report will increase 
somewhat the amounts appropriated to several of the regiments 
which first occupied the attention of the Committee. 

The total number of regiments and incomplete organizations 
assisted by the Committee, is as follows : 

New York State Militia Regiments 14 

New York State Volunteer Regiments. ... 18 
New York City Volunteer Regiments .... 8 

— 40 
Incomplete Organizations 10 

Total 50 Regts. 

Of this number, forty regiments of militia and volunteers have 
been received into the service of the United States, and many of 
them have shared in the labors and perils of the recent campaigns 
in Virginia and elsewhere. 

It is perhaps not too much to say, in reference to these troops, 
that most of them have acquitted themselves in the preparatory 



56 

duties of the camp, and upon the field of battle, in a manner 
creditable to the city, the State, and themselves. 

It is the purpose of the Executive Committee, at a fitting time, 
to submit a more full detail of the character, conduct, and services 
of the several regiments which entered the army of the United 
States under the auspices of this Committee, together with state- 
ments of their respective losses in battle, whether by death, 
wounds, or capture — their condition and location in the service. 
The Committee cannot realize that every duty has been performed 
by simply placing citizen soldiers in the field for active service 
during the war ; they feel that a responsibility rests upon the city 
and State, to keep watch over the welfare of those who have 
volunteered for the public defense, and to extend to them all need- 
ful care and protection. 

Soon after the commencement of their duties, the Committee 
saw the pressing necessity of securing an adequate supply of arms 
and munitions of war, then becoming very scarce, and constantly 
rising in value, which would certainly be required for the outfit of 
the local organizations, and might become a resource for the Gov- 
ernment in any sudden emergency. 

That this, course was wise and judicious, the Committee have 
received abundant evidence in the progress of their labors. Arms 
have been issued from time to time to various regiments for pur- 
poses of drill and guard, and in several instances regiments have 
borne them temporarily to the seat of war, whence in most cases 
they have been returned to the store-house of the Committee, and 
a portion of them have since been disposed of to the Quarter- 
master's Department of the United States Army. 

In connection with this subject, it may be remarked that the 
occasions have not been unfrequent when the Committee have had 
the gratification of furnishing to the Government articles of indis- 
pensable necessity to the public service. One of their earliest acts 
was to charter a steamer by the aid of which ammunition and pro- 
visions were supplied to the garrison at Fortress Monroe, and to 



511 

the army at Annapolis, Maryland, at a most critical emergency 
when communication with the capital was interrupted. The 
steamer " Quaker City" was also chartered, temporarily, for ser- 
vice between this city and Southern ports occupied by Union 
forces. This vessel was fully armed and supplied with provisions 
by the Committee, and during the continuance of the charter per- 
formed efficient and valuable service ; under a new engagement 
made with the Government, she is now one of the blockading force 
on the Southern coast. 

In aiding regiments to take the field effectively, the Committee 
have supplied field cannon, in cases where it seemed proper to do 
so. They refer to the following instances : 

To the Seventh Regiment, Militia, Colonel Leiferts, two field 
cannon — which, on the return of the Seventh, were 
transferred to the Ninth, Militia, Colonel Stiles, now 
in the column of General Banks. 

To the Ffth Regiment, Volunteers, Colonel Duryee, four field 
cannon, now at Baltimore, Maryland. 

To the Second Regiment, Militia, Colonel Tompkins, two field 
cannon, now in Virginia. 

To the Mozart Regiment, Volunteers, Colonel Riley, two field 
cannon, now in Washington. 

In each of the above cases, a full supply of ammunition, includ- 
ing shot and shell, was issued. 

Ammunition has also been furnished, in several instances, to 
regiments from other States in transit towards the seat of war. 
In a few instances, separate companies have been aided with 
arms and equipments, but the rule to confine assistance to regi- 
ments has rarely been departed from. 

One source of expenditure has been fully justified and more than 
repaid in the benefits conferred on sick and wounded soldiers. 



58 

The first ambulances which reached the seat of war were provided 
by the Union Defense Committee, and their use has been freely- 
granted, from time to time, to numerous regiments from other 
States, which were unprovided with this essential aid to an army 
in the lield. 

These facts are alluded to, simply to show that the duties as- 
sumed by the Committee have covered a wide range, and have not 
been ineffectual in carrying out the wishes of the citizens of New 
York, expressed in the resolution creating the Committee, namely : 
"To aid the movements of the Government as the public interests 
may require." 

Accounts are still open with the Government, in several of its 
departments, and when the sums expended in the purchase of arms, 
munitions of war, wagons, &c., are reimbursed, the result will be 
fully stated in a subsequent Report. 

The Committee cannot close their Report without an expression 
of their high gratification at the spirited conduct shown by one of 
their number at the recent conflict in Virginia. Having declined 
the commission of Major-General, tendered to him by the Execu- 
tive of this State, which did not confer an active command in the 
field, Mr. Wadsworth volunteered his services on the staft' of the 
commanding General, immediately before the battle. The bravery 
and efficiency of Major Wadsworth have been warmly commended 
and gracefully recognized by the Government, in the appointment 
of Brigadier-General of Volunteers. 

Respectfully submitted. 

By order of the Executive Committee, 

S. DRAPER, 
Chairman Executive Committee. 

Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Secretary Executive Committee. 



60 



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63 

New Yoek, August 31, 1861. 

To the Executive Committee of the Union Defence Committee : 

Gentlemen — The Sub-Committee on Applications for Relief to 
Families of Soldiers, having discharged the important and inter- 
esting duties devolved upon them, respectfully submit a detailed 
account of the expenditure of the sums appropriated for the pur- 
poses involved in their appointment, and ask leave also to present 
therewith a summary statement of the circumstances and manner 
of the disbursement. 

The distribution of relief commenced on the 7th of May last. 

In anticipation of a sufficient business to justify it, the large 
store No. 10 Cooper Institute was leased as an office from the 
Trustees, at the rate of $500 per annum, Mr. Peter Cooper offer- 
ing an individual donation of $200 of the amount to the Relief 
Fund. While awaiting the preparation of those premises, the 
large room No. 20, on the main floor of the Institute, was tem- 
porarily occupied, and the amount of business transacted during 
the first few days seemed to indicate that it, as well as the store 
below, would probably afford sufficient accommodation for the pur- 
pose. But ere the close of the first week's labors, this illusion 
was dispelled ; as, within that time, the rapid increase of the 
number of applicants demonstrated that neither of those localities 
would begin to suffice, either in size or convenience of arrange- 
ment. 

The pressure of the crowd, before the tenth day, became so se- 
vere, that the procurement of larger and more convenient pre- 
mises was an absolute necessity, and providentially the large va- 
cant store No. 14 Fourth avenue presented itself. It was imme- 
diately secured, and put in order, and its occupation commenced 
on Monday, May 20th. 

But the demand upon the fund at our disposal, created by the 
sudden uprising of the people, and the rush to arms of so many 



64 

thousands of our fellow-citizens, at the call of their country, leav- 
ing their families at a brief notice, soon caused a pressure of ap- 
plicants, which even that spacious apartment was inadequate to 
accommodate. "While the room was filled to its utmost capacity 
during the greater part of the day, a crowd, chiefly of the female 
heads of families, occupied the pavement, waiting their turn to re- 
ceive the aid so generously extended by the Corporation and citi- 
zens. A yet more ample accommodation, therefore, soon became 
imperative, and this was fortunately at hand in the adjoining store 
No. 16, of equal size with the other, and divided from it only by 
a slight wooden partition, through which doors of ingress and 
egress were readily made. 

The area of the floors thus occupied is 75 >^ 50 feet, and although 
the two apartments together have, on some occasions, been over- 
crowded for several successive hours, with the continual influx of 
applicants, yet all were seated, and the arrangements such as to 
avoid any loss of comfort or time, except what was incidental to 
the great amount of business performed. 

The system adopted by your Committee for ascertaining the vali- 
dity of the claims upon the fund, for security against deception, 
and for the ready relief of the families, proved effective, though 
demanding of the benevolent citizens who generously consented to 
supervise the affairs in each ward, no little sacrifice of time and 
trial of patience. 

The first duty in relation to the distribution of the fund was to 
fix the allowance to each family and individual. To render this 
satisfactory to all parties, and to secure a unanimity of sentiment, 
a meeting of all the members of the Ward Commmittes (four in 
each) was invited to be held on the evening of May 6th, and after 
a full and free interchange of opinions, the following maximum 
allowance was determined upon : For the head of tlie family, three 
dollars a week ; for one child, one dollar a week ; and for each ad- 
ditional child, half-a-dollar a week. These rates were continued 
about one month, when the advent of summer, and the abundance 
and moderate price of food, together with the unexpectedly large 



65 

demand upon the fund, induced a reconvocation of the Ward Com- 
mittees for the submission of the question of a reduction of the 
maximum allowance. A second meeting was accordingly held, on 
the evening of the 1 0th of June, at which it was determined that a 
reduction should be made of 07ie dollar in the allowance to the 
head of each family. This was accordingly done, and continued to 
the close of the account. 

In addition to this, your Committee reserved the right of author- 
izing extra amounts in cases of sickness, or other extraordinary 
circumstance. 

This method of measuring the amount of aid (allowing so much 
per capita for the family), while it seemed to be the most equitable 
and satisfactory that could be devised, demanded great vigilance 
on the part of the Ward Committees, to whom was entrusted the 
duty of granting the " order for relief," as no little temptation was 
thus held out to unscrupulous people to make false representations 
of the numbers in family, and thus, while committing a fraud, depriv- 
ing the honest claimants of a portion of their right to the limited 
means at our disposal ; and we regret to be obliged to say, that 
several persons have been found base enough to attempt this and 
other kinds of deception. 

The labors of the Ward Committees were begun with much zeal, 
and in many instances, even in some of the most populous sections, 
carried on to the end with faithful assiduity. It soon became ap- 
parent, however, that in some of the Wards, the duty of family visita- 
tion and examination required more time than could reasonably be 
expected of the individual members of the Committees, and the ap- 
pointment of visitors for this purpose was therefore authorized, by 
such of the Committees as might choose to avail themselves thereof, 
at a rate of compensation not exceeding nine dollars a week. About 
one-half of the Ward Connnittees accepted the proposition, the 
others preferring to continue the labor personally, in order to 
economize the fund for its strictly legitimate purpose. 

The value, and indeed the necessity, of personal examinations of 



66 

the applicants at their domiciles, for the verifications of their state- 
ments as to the number in family, their true relationship to the 
soldiers, their circumstances and condition, their dependence on 
the soldier, for support, &c., was early made apparent, and your 
Committee have great reason to believe that, for want of such in- 
vestigation, no inconsiderable amount of money has been unwitting- 
ly paid on improper "orders." 

"We can cite some instances of soldiers' certificates having been 
given to unworthy persons, who drew money as wives, and this 
even though the wives were living ; others in which relief has been 
claimed by two wives of the same soldier, both having marriage 
certificates ; others in which the soldiers bore no other relation to 
the claimants than boarders; others of the wife obtaining an 
" order " in one Ward, and the mother or sister in another ; 
others in which the applicants lived in other cities and States, 
though claiming as living in this city. 

In other instances, the money was wanted for, and actually sent 
to relatives in Ireland. Soldiers who had deserted, or been dis- 
charged for incapacity, but who had received certificates of enlist- 
ment, continued to use them afterwards ; and cases have even come 
to light, of men having joined two regiments, receiving certifi- 
cates, and drawing money on both, although rejected from both on 
final examination. It has been a too-frequent practice for 
enlisting officers to receive notoriously incompetent men, appar- 
ently for the mere purpose of showing a full quota, holding out to 
them the inducement that their families would be supported by this 
fund, thus burdening it improperly, and giving no notice of the 
the recruits' final discharge, whereby they have been enabled to 
draw money until detected by accident. 

Such were some of the plans which were adopted by unscrupu- 
lous persons to obtain the weekly pittances from the fund, which 
only a thorough investigation of each case by the disbursing offi- 
cer, enabled him to detect and prevent. The care thus exercised 
resulted in the saving of an amount nearly or quite sufficient to 
cover all the expenses attendant upon the distribution of the whole 



67 

I- 

fund, including the salaries, stationery, advertising, furniture, <fec., 
of all the ward and central offices, and six months' rent of the pre- 
mises in the Fourth avenue, which were occupied by us only two 
months, and are now used by the Comptroller, as the disbursing 
offices of two of the Senatorial districts. 

On the evening of July 1st, an examination of the bank and 
cash accounts exhibited the fact that the unexpended balance of 
the $200,000 which had been appropriated, was insufficient for 
another day's payments, and involved the sad necessity of closing 
the doors, and the disappointment of the nmnerous holders of 
tickets on which partial payments had been made. The small 
amount which remained, less than $2,000, was reserved for the 
use of such cases of pressing need as might arise before means 
could be obtained for a resumption of payments. 

The necessity of further supplies soon became apparent, in the 
cry of distress which rose upon the public ear, and increased in 
anguish as day after day went by, without relief to the hungry and 
helpless. 

Before the subsequent action of the Common Council could be 
brought into effect, your Committee, regarding the unredeemed 
and outstanding tickets held by the wives and families of the sol- 
diers in the light of pledges of payment by the Union Defense 
Committee, obtained from the Executive Committee an additional 
appropriation of $30,000 for the redemption of all such, and on 
the 19th of July commenced calling them in. 

The number of persons at the door on that morning soliciting 
aid, was about half a dozen only, but with such speed did the 
news of redemption fly, that before the close of the day, without 
any public notice whatever, 1,720 tickets were exchanged for coin. 
The whole sum was thus expended in six days, in nearly 5,000 
payments, to the great relief of the whole community, and the 
needy families of soldiers especially. 

The total number of families who received aid from the Fund, 
was a fraction less than 12,000; the number of payments made 
was about 35,000 ; and the whole amount expended $230,000. 



68 



A donation of $100 in pennies, from Mrs. Hopkins, of No. 
420 Sixth avenue, was received, and handed over to A. A. Low, 
Esq., Treasurer of Union Defense Connnittee. 

The Committee are under obligations to S. C. Herring & Co., 
for the gratuitous use of an iron safe, and to Mr. Southack for the 
loan of a few articles of office furniture. 

Appended hereto is a detailed statement of the expenditures. 

Respectfully submitted by 

TCI * 1 /-( T->T,^T T 1 Sub-Committee on 

ifeAAC JJJliLL, A r ^- r 

M. H. GRINNELL, A^^f^on for 

C. H. MARSHALL, f^''i% l^!^" 

J lies oj boLdiers. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, ^ 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, f 

September 3, 1861. 
At a meeting of the Committee held this day. 

Ordered, That the Report and Summary Statement of Expendi- 
tures of the Standing Committee on " Relief to Families of 
Soldiers," be adopted and transmitted to the Common Council. 

(Extract from the minutes.) 

S. DRAPER. 
Chairman of Executive Committee. 

P. M. Wetmore, 

Secretary Executive Committe. 



69 



Summary Statement of Disbursement o/" $230,000 appropriated for 

Aid of Families. 

May, June, and July, received by checks $230,000 00 

July, returned from three wards 148 50 



Paid on tickets, as per books, 

May, June, and July $226,316 25 

Sundries, May, June, and July 3,855 22 



$230,171 47 
Apparent excess of disbursements over receipts 



$230,148 50 



22 97 



^230,171 47 



Statement of Disbursements to July 12, 1861 

Tickets. 

1861. 

May 7, Amount paid on Tickets 



9, 
10, 
11, 
13, 
14, 
15, 
16, 

17, 
18, 
20, 
21, 



Payments on 



$99 50 
728 25 
1,232 25 
1,385 75 
2,603 25 
3,442 00 
2,931 50 
4,546 50 
5,044 50 
5,559 00 
6,605 50 
3,884 50 
3,200 50 



10 



70 

1861. 

May 22, Amount paid on Tickets $3,357 00 

"23, " « « 2,844 00 

"24, « « « 2,931 00 

"25, « « « 4,395 50 

"27, " « " 3,976 00 

"28, « « " 3,552 50 

"29, « « " 5,344 00 

"30, « " « 3,140 00 

"31, « « « 3.384 50 

June 1, " « « 3,800 00 

" 3, " « « 4,064 00 

" 4, ' « « 4,639 50 

" 5, « " « 5,693 50 

" 6, « « « 4,812 50 

" 7, • « « « 5,216 00 

" 8, '• « « 9,073 00 

"10, « " " 5,945 50 

"11, " " " 5,026 50 

"12, " « « 6,670 00 

"13, « « « 4,993 50 

"14, « « « 5,389 00 

"15, « " « .. 6,215 50 

"17, " " « 5,232 00 

"18, " « « 5,008 00 

"19, " " " 6,552 00 

"20, « " " 2,072 50 

"21, « " '^ 2,507 00 

"22, « « « 2,817 00 

"24, " « " 2,267 50 

"25, « « " 2,099 50 

"26, « « " 3,086 00 

"27, " " « 3,458 50 

"28, « " « 4,002 50 

"29, « " " 5,930 00 

July 1, " " « 4,427 50 

2, " " « 60 00 

" 3, " " « 4 00 



71 

1861. 

July 5, Amount paid on Tickets $16 00 

" 6, " " " 269 50 

'« 8, " " " 125 00 

«« 11, « " " 141 50 

« 12, " « « 636 00 

1196,438 00 

Sundry Expenses, per statement annexed 3,584 97 



$200,022 97 



Statement op Disbursements of the Additional Appropriation of 

130,000: 

Received by checks $30,000 00 

Returned from Eighteenth Ward 43 50 

Returned from I^inth Ward 30 00 

Returned from Fourth Ward 75 00 



$30,148 50 



Paid on Outstanding Tickets : 

July 19 $8,605 00 

20 12,453 50 

22 4,516 50 

23 2,623 50 

24 1,566 50 

25 113 25 

$29,878 25 



72 

Paid Sundries : 

July 18. Cartage |1 50 

" 19. J. R. Varian, clerk 27 50 

" 19. T. Hines, Seventh Ward Visitor 18 00 

" 19. Cartage and ink 150 

« 20. J. Malkenburg, Thirteenth 

Ward Visitor 9 00 

« 20. J. B. Thomas, carpenter 28 00 

« 20. B. J. Westervelt, lumber 49 96 

« 20. Cartage and ink 2 75 

« 22. Ink 25 

" 24. Cleaning rooms 100 

" 24. E. H. Gouge, extra services. . . 10 00 

« 25. Ice 46 

« 25. Pay-roll 120 33 

$270 25 

Pay on tickets 29,878 25 

P0,148 50 



Statement of Disbursements to July 12, 1861, exclusive of Pay- 
ments on Tickets : 

1861. 

May 1 . Postage $0 44 

" 2. Hooper & Co., advertising 14 35 

" 3. Desk and cartage 6 75 

" 8. Awning 8 00 

« 13. Cleaning store 5 00 

« 13. J. W. Southack, furniture 17 50 

« 15. C. J. Warren, clerk 17 50 

« 17. Stage fare, ink, &c 2 00 

« 20. Cartage 1 00 

" 22. Postage stamps, duster, &c 1 75, 



73 



1861. 

May 25. Cartage $1 00 

« 27. do and stamps 116 

« 28. do and broom 1 25 

« 29. do 1 00 

"30. do 1 00 

« 31. G. F.Nesbitt& Co., printing and advertising 272 98 

« 31. Pay-roll 518 75 

June 1. Joseph McGuire, Nineteenth Ward Rent. . . 20 00 

" 4. Cartage 100 

" 5. do 1 00 

« 6. do 1 00 

" 6. Gillespie & Martling, carpenter work 189 69 

" 6. Carpenter work by order of Committee 50 00 

« 7. Cartage 1 00 

« 8. do 2 00 

" 8. Ink and cleaning 6 50 

« 10. Cartage 2 00 

" 11. do 1 00 

« 12. do 1 00 

" 12. John J. Kearsing, Eleventh Ward Visitor.. 22 50 

" 13. Cartage and sundries, 1 75 

« 14. do 1 00 

" 15. do cleaning, &c 2 50 

'^17. do do 3 50 

« 17. Rent, six months 800 00 

« 18. Cartage 1 00 

« 19. do 1 00 

" 21. Cleaning, gum, &c 3 18 

" 21. Hotel-keeper Gunzer, Seventeeth Ward, 

rent of office 20 00 

" 21. Geo. F. Nesbitt, printing and stationery. .. 158 00 

" 21. Ice, cartage and cleaning 3 10 

" 22. John F. Culligan, First Ward Visitor 10 50 

« 22. E. P. Wlsner, Eleventh W^ard Visitor 18 00 

" 24. Cartage and stamps 1 25 

" 25. do and cleaninof 2 50 



74 



1861. 

June 24. Patrick Quin, Fourteenth Ward Visitor. ... $9 00 

« 25. Win. Molkenberg, Thirteenth Ward Visitor . 18 00 

« 26. Cartage 1 00 

« 26. Wm. C. Brusle, Twentieth Ward Visitor . . 36 00 

. " 27. Cartage and stage fare 1 12 

" 27. Office furniture, Twenty-second Ward ..... 20 32 

" 28. W. A. Wheeler, stationery 33 93 

" 26. John Flagherty, Twentieth Ward furniture. 15 00 

" 28. Cartage 1 00 

" 28. Chas. Stoppani, Tenth Ward Visitor 36 00 

" 29. Calvin Lathrop, Twenty-second Ward Visi- 
tor 30 00 

" 29. Patrick Quin, Fourteenth Ward Visitor 9 00 

« 29. John F. Culligan, First Ward Visitor 9 00 

« 29. E. P. Wilde, Eighth Ward Visitor 24 00 

" 29. James McNespic, Nineteenth Ward Visi- 
tor ; 18 00 

" 29. James McNespic, Nineteenth Ward Visitor 

for May 24 00 

" 29. E. P. Wisner, Eleventh Ward Visitor. .... 9 00 

" 29. Pay-roll 758 34 

July 1. Ice, stamps and cartage 185 

" 1. James Mahoney, Twenty-first Ward Visitor. 27 00 

" 1 . Cleaning 4 50 

" 3. Gillespie & Martling, carpenter work 18 04 

" 5. W. E. Brusle, Twentieth Ward Visitor 9 00 

" 5. Emil Kirchner, Eighteenth Ward Visitor ... . 2700 
" 5. Advertising for meeting, Eighteenth Ward 

Visitor 7 55 

" 6. R. T. Milbig, Twenty-second Ward Visi- 
tor 30 00 

" 8. Patrick Quin, Fourteenth Ward Visitor 9 00 

" 8. Cleaning 1 50 

" 9. Postage and pencils 21 

" 9. Writing paper 24 

« 10. Ice 90 



75 

1861. 

July 10. Poison for Vermin $0 50 

" 11. Stamps 50 

" 12. Cleaning furnace, charcoal, &c 4 84 

" 12. Pay-roll 187 08 

" 16. Nails, ice, and stamps 5 14 

Total $3,584 97 



APPENDIX 



11 



CORRESF^OI^DElsrCEl 



®ffiarB of tlje UnM stairs iobtrniiunt, 

IN RELATION TO CLAIMS FOR 



REIMBURSEMENT OF ADVANCES 



REGIMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS, 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 



New York, April 19^/i, 1861. 

At a meeting of the Chamber held this day, P. Perit, President, in the Chair, 
the following resolution, submitted by Mr. William E. Dodge, was unanimously 
adopted : 

Rpxolved, That a Select Committee be appointed to receive subscriptions for 
the benefit of Regiments now in preparation for departure to the South, the same 
to be applied under the direction of the Committee. 

The Committee was thereupon named by the President, as follows : 

William E. Dodge, Charles H. Marshall, 

A. C. Richards, Theodore Deuon, 

Royal Phelps, Robert H. McCurdy. 



(Extract from the Minutes of the Chamber.) 

J. SMITH HOMAS, 

Secretary. 



The Committee met forthwith, and elected Mr. Dodge, Chairman ; Mr. Dehon, 
Treasurer ; and appointed Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary. 

On the 25th of April, the Select Committee, under authority granted on the 
same day by the Chamber of Commerce, voted to unite itself with the Union 
Defense Committee, appointed at a Mass Meeting of Citizens on the 20th of the 
same month. 



S2 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNION MASS MEETING. 



At a Mass Meeting of the Citizens of New York, held at Union Square, on 
Saturday, the 20th of April, 1861, General John A. Dix, President of the Meeting, 
the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That a Committee of twenty-five, to be nominated by the President, 
be appointed by this meeting, to represent the citizens in the collection of funds 
and the transaction of such other business in aid of the movements of the 
Government as the public interests may require. 

The President announced the Committee as follows, and the same was confirmed 
by the meeting : 

Moses Taylok, James Boormax, 

MoSES H. Grinnell, Edwards Pierrepont, 

Royal Phelps, Richard M. Blatchford, 

William E. Dodge, Alexander T. Stewart, 

Greece C. Bronsox, Hamilton Fish, 

William M. Evarts, Samdel Sloan, 

John J. Cisco, John Jacob Astor, Jr., 

Simeon Draper, William F. Havemeyer, 

James T. Brady, Charles H. Russell, 

James S. Wadsworth, Rudolph A. Witthaus, 

Isaac Bell, Charles H. Marshall, 

Abiel a. Low, Prosper M. Wetmobe, 
Robert H. McCurdy. 

Whereupon the President, General John A. Dix, was added to the Committee. 



ACTION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT. 



- AN ORDINANCE 

making an appropriation in aid of the defense of the national union, and 
authorizing the borrowing of money for that purpose. 

2'he Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of JS'ew York, in Common 
Council convened, do ordain as follows : 

Sec. 1. The sum of one million of dollars is hereby appropriated for the pur- 
pose of procuring the necessary equipments and outfits of the military force of 



83 

the city of New York, now engaged, or which may hereafter he engaged, in the 
service of the State of New York, in pursuance of the requisition of the Presi- 
dent of the United States, and to provide for the aid or support of tlie families of 
such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same. 

Sec. 2. The money so appropriated shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon 
vouchers to be approved by a committee, to be known as the " Union Defense 
Committee of the City of New York," consisting of the Mayor, Comptroller, Pre- 
sident of the Board of Aldermen, President of the Board of Councilman, and the 
following-named citizens : 

JoHX J. Cisco, Moses Taylor, 

James T. Brady, Moses H. Grixnell, 

Simeon Draper, Royal Phelps, 

James S. Wadsworth, William E. Dodge, 

Isaac Bell, Greene C. Broxson, 

James Buorman, William M. Evarts, 

Edwards Pierrepont," Richard M. Blatchford, 

Samuel Sloan, Alex. T. Stewart, 

John Jacob Astor, Hamilton Fish, 

William F. Havemeyer, Charles H. Russell, 

Rudolph A, Witthaus, Charles H. Marshall, 

Prosper M. Wetmore, Robert H. McCurdy, 
Ariel A. Low. 

Who were appointed at a public meeting, held at Union Square, on Saturday, the 
twentieth day of April inst., to collect funds, and transact svich other business in 
aid of the Government, as the public interests may reqviire. The vouchers afore- 
said shall be certified in meeting by the Chairman of the said Committee. 

Sec 3. The Comptroller is hereby authorized to borrow, from time to time, on the 
credit of the Corporation, such sum or sums as may be required to meet the pay- 
ments authorized by the preceding section, and to issue bonds of the Corporation 
therefor, which shall be designated and known as the " Union Defense Fund of 
the Ciiij of New York," and bear interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent. 
per annum. 

Sec. 4 The said bonds shall be signed by the Comptroller, countersigned by the 
Mayor, and sealed with the common seal of the Corporation, attested by the Clerk 
of the Common Coaucil, and the principal thereof shall be redeemable within 
one year from the dates thereof. 

Sec. 5. In the payment of said bonds, and the interest to accrue upon the same, 
the faith of the Corporation of the city of New Yoj-k, and also all sums which 
may hereafter be received from the State of New York, or the United States, for 
the purpose of reimbursing the expenses inc^red in pursuance of this ordinance, 
are hereby solemnly pledged, and the Comptroller is hereby authorized and 
required to redeem and cancel the said bonds from time to time, at or before the 
maturity of the same. 

Which was adopted. 
New York, April 25, 1861. 



84 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, 

Office, No. 30 Pine Street 



] 



New York, October 2Sf./i, 1861. 

Sir: — In the organization of many of the Volunteer Regiments of this State, 
now in the service of the United States, advances were made by this Committee for 
the purpose of ensuring the speedy equipment and outfit of such regiments. 

A list of the names of commanding officers, and as far as practicable, the num- 
bers or other designations of tlie several corps alluded to, will accompany this. 

The Committee are now engaged in the preparation of accurate statements of 
expenditure in each case, which will be accompanied with properly authenticated 
vouchers to justify the reimbursement. 

Pending the time necessary for the preparation of these papers, so far as they 
relate to your Department, the Committee have thought it advisable to make this 
communication to guard against any settlements that might conflict with the 
rights and interests of the Committee, or of those they represent. 

On behalf of the Union Defense Committee, 

I am. Sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

P. M. WETMORE, 

Secretary Executive Comniittee. 
Colonel D B. S.\ckett, 

Inspector General U. S. Army, 

Disbursirig Officer at New York. 

Copy addressed also to 

Colonel D. H. Vinton, 

Assistant Quarter Master Genera/ 

United States Anni/, New York. 



85 



MEMORANDUM OF REGIMENTS ASSISTED BY UNION DEFENSE 
COMMITTEE. 



REGIMENTS OF N. Y. S. MILITIA. 


10th 


Regiment, . 




.Col 


McChesney, 


2d Regiment, Col. Tompkins, 


11th 


" 




a 


Ellsworth, 


5tli 


" " Schwarzwelder, 


15th 


(1 




n 


Murphy, 


6 th 


" " Pinokney, 


17th 


It 




(( 


Lansing, 


7tli 


" " Lefferts, 


20th 


n 




. " 


Weber, 


Sth 


" . . . . " Lyon, 


25th 


1( 




ti 


Kerrigan, 


9tli 


" " Stiles, 


31st 


C( 




(1 


Pratt, 


12tli 


" " Butterfield, 


32d 


ti 




<i 


Matheson, 


ISth 


" " Smith, 


36th 


il 




11 


Innis, 


14th 


" " Wood, 


37th 


l( 




<( 


McCunn, 


55th 


" " De Trobriand, 


38th 


(( 




(1 


Ward, 


69th 


" " Corcoran, 


39th 


l( 




(( 


D'Utassy, 


71st 


« " Martin, 


40th 


« 




(1 


Riley, 


79th 


" .... " Elliott. 


41st 
42d 


(1 




i( 
(1 


Von Gilsa, 

Kennedy, 

VonAmsberg. 


REGIMENTS OF N. T. S. VOLUNTEERS. 


45th 


a 




i< 


1st Regiment, .... Col. Allen, 


47th 


i( 




. " 


Moore, 


4th 


" " Taylor, 


48th 


a 




. " 


Perry, 


5th 


" . . . . " Duryee, 
" " Wilson, 


And 


a few others. 


assisted on a more 


6th 


limited scale. 






7th 


" " Bendix, 


13 


Regiments. . . 




. Militia, 


8th 


" . " Blenker, 


25 


<( 





. Volunteers. 


9th 


" " Hawkins, 


38 


11 









UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, 

Office, No. 30 Pine Street, 



Neiv York, November 18th, 1861. 
General : — In the course of its transactions with the various regiments form- 
ing the quota of Volunteers from this State, the Union Defense Committee has 
furnished arms and munitions of war to regiments now in the service, of which 
a list is annexed. 

In making up its claims for reimbursement of advances made for the outfit of 
regiments, the Committee desires to be informed if claims for the cost of such 
articles as are comprised within the rules of the Ordnance Department, and 
which were issued to regimeuts now in the field, will be recognized by the United 
States, or whether the Committee shall look to the regiments for the return of 
arms and ammunition still in their possession. 

12 



86 



It may perhaps be proper to state that in a few instances issues were made to 
regiments which left for the seat of war at a time when communication could 
not be had with authorities at Washington. 

I beg to ask on behalf of the Committee for such information as will enable it, 
in presenting its claims, to complj with the regulations of the Ordnance De- 
partment. 

I am, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
Brigadier-General P. M. WETMORE, 

James W. Ripley, Secretary Ex. Com., 

Chief of Ordnance, Union Defense Committee. 

U. S. Army. 



REGIMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS FROM STATE OF NEW YORK, TO WHICH 
ARMS, &c., HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE UNION DEFENSE COM- 
MITTEE, OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

1— Second Regiment New York State Militia, Col. Tompkins. 

2— Ninth " " " Col. Stiles. 

3— Seventy-ninth " « Lt.-Col. Elliott, Col. Stevens. 

4— Fifth Regiment New York State Volunteers, Col. Duryee, Col. Warren. 

5— Eighth " " " Col. Blenker, Col. Stahl. 

6— Eleventh " " " Col. Ellsworth, Col. Leoser. 

7— Thirty-ninth " " Col. D'Utassy. 

8— Fortieth " " " Col. Riley. 

P. M. WETMORE, 

Secretary Ex. Com. 



Pbospee M. Wetmoke, Esq., 

No. 30 Pine Street, New York. 



ORDNANCE OFFICE, 

Washington, Dec. 20th, 1861. 



Sir: — In answer to your letter of the 18th ult., I have to state that accounts for 
arms or ordnance stores, which have been procured for, and issued to, troops in 
the United States service, on proper authority, if sent to this office, will be ex- 
amined, and transmitted to the proper accounting office of the Treasury for settle- 
ment. The law requires that purchases of arms, equipments, or other ordnance 
stores, shall be made by the senior officer of the Ordnance Department, under the 
direction of the Secretary of War. Evidence, therefore, of authority from the 
Secretary of War to make the purchases, must accompany accounts sent for settle- 
ment through this office ; as also evidence of the receipt by a Government officer, 
or duly authorized agent, of the articles purchased- 



87 



This office has not authority to recognize accounts contracted without the direc- 
tion of the Secretary of War ; nor claims for reimbursement, under the Act 
approved July 17th, 1861, of expenses Incurred by the States "on account of 
Volunteers called into the field." 



Respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JAS. W. RIPLEY, 

IBrigadier-General . 



LIST OF PAPERS ENCLOSED TO SECRETARY OF WAR. 

1. Letter to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, dated January 18, 1862. 

2. Letter to Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, dated December 31, 1861. 

3. Letter to General D. B. Sackett, Mustering Officer (copy), dated November 22, 
1861. 

4. Letter from Captain G-. D. Raggles, Assistant Adjutant-General (copy), dated 
December 17, 1861. 

5. Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Nichols, Mustering Officer (copy), dated 
December 20, 1861. 

6. Telegram from Hon Simon Cameron, Secretary of War (copy), dated August 
22, 1861. 



7. Form of bills presented. 



P. M. WETMORE, 
Sec'ij Ex. C ommittee of the Union Defense Com. 



Executive Committee, 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, 

Office, No. 30 Pine Street 
New York, Jamiary 18th, 1862. 



] 



Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War. 

Sir: — The within communication, addressed to Hon. Simon Cameron, was pre- 
pared for transmission to the War Department on the day of its date, but has been 
withheld from considerations of duty to the Municipal Government of New York. 



88 

The questions submitted to the Department are of serious importance to the 
city ; and tlie undersigned, therefore, venture to ask as early action thereon as 
may be consistent with other duties 

With higli respect and consideration, 

Your obedient servants, 

HAMILTON FISH, 
S. DRAPER, Chairmnn V. D. Com. 

Chairman. 

A. A. LOW, Treasurer 
WM. M. EVARTS, U. D. Com. 

Sec'y U. D. Com. 

(Approved.) p. M. WETMORE, 

R. T. HAWES, Sec^y Ex. Com. 

Comptroller. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, 

Office, No. 30 Pine Street 

New York, December 31si, 1861 
Hon. SnioN Cameron, 

Secretary of War, 

Washington. 

Sir : — It becomes the duty of the undersigned to present for your considera- 
tion the question of reimbursing expenditures made by this Committee, in the 
organization, outfit and subsistence of Volunteers. 

To a proper understanding of this case it may be necessary to recur to the 
origin of the power exercised, and the source of tlie means employed by the 
Committee in eiibrts to aid the Government of the country in a critical 
emergency. 

In the month of April last, by the joint action of a Committee of Merchants 
from the Chamber of Commerce, and another appointed at a mass meeting of 
citizens, energetic measures were adopted to obtain means necessary for fitting 
out and dispatching regiments of Volunteers for the defense of the National 
Capital, ixnder the call of the President. 

The two Committees having united in an organization under the name of the 
" Union Defense Committee," the Government of the City of New York, by a 
munificent act of patriotic legislation, created a fund amounting to a million 
dollars, which was placed under the control of the Committee to be used " in aid 
of the defense of the National Union." 



8d 

This fund was provided from an issue of bonds on the credit of the Corporation 
of the City of New York, for the payment of which the faith of the city was 
pledged, and also " all sums which may hereafter be received from the State of 
New York, or the United States, for the purpose of reimbursing the expenses in- 
curred in pursuance of the ordinance." 

The money thus provided was accepted as a sacred trust by the " Union Defense 
Committee," to be applied to two objects : First, to organize and provide all essen- 
tial outfits for Regiments of Vohinteers ; and Secondly, to aid the families of 
soldiers thus enlisted into the public service. 

The expeuditui'es in aid of the families of soldiers, amounting to twenty-three 
per cent, of the whole fund, has been treated, both by the City and the Commit- 
tee, as a free gift to the cause of the country. No more effectual bounty to hasten 
enlistments could have been provided. Such a beneficent act could not fail to 
stimulate the popular feeling, and induce volunteers to rally to the standard of 
a Government which took under its benevolent care the families of soldiers in the 
field. 

The remaining portion of the fund has been used to defray the expenses of 
"collecting, drilling, and organizing vohanteers." These expenses, so far as they 
come within the regulations of the army, the Committee believe to be a just 
charge upon the funds provided by Congress for the reimbursement of expendi- 
tures in aid of Volunteers. 

The advances made by the Committee have never been considered or treated in 
any other sense than as a loan to the Grovernment, to be reimbursed whenever the 
Department should be prepared to meet similar demands. 

No encouragement of any kind has ever been held out to the volunteers or the 
Government, that the money thus applied should be regarded in the light of a 
bounty to the one, or a free grant to the other. 

The action of the Committee in the discharge of an onerous public duty has 
been disinterested, and devoted to the single piirpose of rendering all the aid in 
their power to the public cause. With this view they have acted freely and 
cordially in concert with the officers of the Government in promoting the public 
good ; much labor and many thousands of dollars have been thus expended, for 
which no compensation or reimbursement will be asked or can be received. 

But the question of urging payment for advances made in good faith out of a 
trust fund, the property of the citizens of New York, is a matter of conscien- 
tious duty, imperative upon the Committee, and they feel justified, therefore, in 
pressing it upon your attention. 

After public announcement that funds had been provided and placed in the 
hands of the mustering officer at this post, for the payment of similar demands, 
the Committee caused a portion of their claims to be stated and placed before that 
officer for settlement. This was done after repeated interviews, a frank expression 
of opinion on his part, and upon printed forms approved by him. 

Herewith will be found copy of a communication addressed to General D. B. 
Sackett, Mastering Officer, under date of the 22d ultimo. To this communication 



90 

a reply was received to the effect that the papers must be transmitted for the 
approval of the Adjntant-Greueral, before payment could be made. This course 
was taken and a reply has been received from Assistant Adjutant-General George 
D. Ruggles, addressed to Lieut. Col. W. A. Nichols, Mastering Officer, and by him 
referred to this office. A copy will accompany this, together with the reply 
thereto. 

The undersigned will take leave also to transmit for the consideration of the 
Department, a copy of a telegram received by the Chairman of the Executive 
Committee from the Secretary of War, which is deemed to be strictly in point, as 
under that paper an advance was made to a regiment then in process of organi- 
zation. 

Apparently there is no distinction whatever between the character and merits 
of claims which the undersigned have reason to believe are dail}- considered and 
paid by the Mustering Officer, and those submitted on behalf of this Committee 
and now brought to the notice of the Department. 

In principle, purpose, terms, form and equity, they are identical. The only 
real difference is to be found in the authority which submits them to the action 
of the Mustering Officer. In the one case the claim is presented by a party inter- 
ested in the profits of the transaction, in the other , it appears in the hands of a 
disinterested friend of the Government, who at a critical period voluntarily made 
advances of money to aid in organizing an army for which adequate means had 
not then been provided by the constituted authorities 

The Committee are anxious to terminate their labors by submitting their final 
report to their constituents. This cannot be done until their claims for these 
advances are adjusted. They confidently rely, therefore, upon the justice and 
courtesy of the Secretary of War for early action in the premises. 

With sentiments of the highest respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

(Signed) HAMILTON FISH, 

Chairman U. D. C. 

S. DRAPER, A. A. LOW, 

Chairman Ex. Com. Treasurer U. D. C. 

PROSPER M WETMORE, WILLIAM M. EVARTS, 

Secretary Executive Committee. Secretary. 

ROBERT T. HAWS, 

Comptroller. 



91 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, J 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, V 

Executive Committee, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, \ 

New York, November 22c?, 1861. 

General : ■ We transmit herewith a selection of duly authenticated vouchers for 
advances made to Volunteer Regiments from this State, now in the service of the 
United States. The vouchers submitted at this time, ten in number, amounting 
in the aggregate to five thousand seven hundred and eighty-six 37-100 dollars, 
comprise advances made to the DeKalb Regiment, Colonel L. Von Grilsa, for its 
subsistence while in progress of organization. 

Similar claims will be submitted from time to time for advances made to other 
Volunteer Regiments organized in this city. 

In reply to your inquiry as to the maximum amount of claims on your Depart- 
ment, we have to say that the accounts are numerous, and comprise expenditures 
under the various heads of subsistence, outfit, equipment, and arms. 

We are of opinion that the amount comprised under the head of subsistence 
will not exceed the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. 

These advances have been made, not from any benevolent fund in the form of 
gratuitous bounty, but from the public treasury of this city, as a means of facili- 
tating the operations of recruiting Regiments of Volunteers. When reimbursed 
by the War Department, this money will return to the city treasury, in con- 
formity with the act which created the fund. 

We do not doubt that the propriety and justice of reimbui-sing these claims 
will be too apparent to need any argument beyond the mere statement of the facts. 

We are, respectfully, 

Your obedient servants, 

(Signed,) A. A. LOW, 

Treasurer U. D. C- 

(Signed,) P. M. WETMORE, 

iSec. J£.r.. Com. 
General D. B. Sackett, 

&c., &c., &c., 

New York. 



92 

MUSTERING OFFICE, \ 

No. 79 White Street, (. 

New York, Dec. 19, 1861. ) 

General P. M. Wetmore, 

Sec'y U. D. C. 

Dear Sir : — I send you herewith copy of letter received this day from the 
Adjntant-General U. S. A., together with the bills left in this office, which will 
fully explain the matter. 

I am, &c., 

W. A. NICHOLS, 

Lieut.-Colonel U. S. A., 

Mustei-ing Officer. 



ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, 

Washington, December 17, 1861. 
Lieut.-Colonel W. A. Nichols, 

• Mustering Officer, 

79 White Street, New York. 

Colonel : — In reply to the letter of Colonel Sackett, addressed to this Depart- 
ment November 22d, relating to bills presented by the " Union Defense Commit- 
tee," I am directed to say that no accounts of this kind can be paid from the 
appropriation for "collecting, drilling, and organizing Volunteers." Such 
accounts should be presented to the Secretary of the Treasury for such action as 
may be determined on by him. 

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, . ^ 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) GEO. D. RUGGLES, 

AssH Adjutant- General. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, 

Executive Committee, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, 

New York, December 20, 1861. 
Lieut -Colonel W. A. Nichols, U. S. A., 

Mustering Officer, ^c. 

Sir: — I have to acknowledge your note of the 19th inst., covering copy of an 
official communication from the Adjutant-General's office, under date 17th inst., 
in reply to one from Colonel Sackett, of the 22d of November, in which had been 



93 

transmitted for the approval of the Adjiitant-Greneral certain claims for advances 
made by this Committee in aid of the movements of the War Department, 
" for expenses of collecting, drilling, and organizing Volunteers " 

I am instructed to say that the Committee have noticed with not a little sur- 
prise the expression of an opinion from the Adjutant-Greneral's Department, in 
relation to bills presented by the Union Defense Committee, " that no accounts of 
this kind can he ■paid from the appropriation t'oi' '■collecting, drilling, and organiz- 
ing Volunteers.^ " 

The Committee having, from necessity, become somewhat familiar with the 
course of business devolved by the Adjutant-Greneral on the Mustering Officer at 
this post, are quite confident that the daily practice of the office is to pay accounts 
precisely " of this kind," and also, that the funds are provided for that purpose 
from the appropriation named. 

With all resjject for the better judgment of the Adjutant-General, the Com- 
mittee are not inclined to adopt his suggestion of a new tribunal for decision on 
this case. 

All the transactions of the Committee have been had with the War Depart- 
ment ; expenditures have been incurred within its knowledge, and payments for 
" collecting, drilling, and organizing Volunteers " have been made, under the ex- 
press written sanction of the head of that department. It is not, therefore, 
deemed either advisable or proper at this time to look for reimbursement of 
moneys expended in good faith, and under such circumstances, in aid of the War 
Department, to any other branch of the Government. 

1 respectfully ask that this note, or a copy thereof, may be transmitted to tli<> 
Adjutant-General's office. 

I remain your obedient servant, 

(Signed) P. M. WETMORE, 

Secretary J£x. Com. 

Union Defense Committee. 



UNITED STATES MUSTERING OFFICE, \ 

No. 79 White Street, C 

New York, Dec. 20, 1861, ) 
Prosper M. Wetmore, Esq., 

Secretary Executive Committee, 

Union Defense Committee. 
Sir:— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 
the 20th inst., and will, as you request, send a copy of it to the Adjutant-Gene- 
ral's office. 

I am, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

A. NICHOLS, 

Lieut.-Colonel U. S. A., 
j3 Mitstering Officer. 



94 

TELEGRAM. 

[AMERICAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY.] 

Washington, August 22, 1861. 
To Simeon Draper, Esq. 

The Mustering Officer has full authority to draw for money to pay for expenses 
of collecting, drilling, and organizing Vohanteers. Tell Col. Dunham. 

SIMON CAMERON, 

Secretary of War. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE \ 

OF THE CITIZENS OF New YoKK, V 

Executive Committee, , Office, No. 30 Pine Street, \ 

Next; York, January 21, 1862. 
Hon. Elijah Ward, 

M. C. 

Dear Sir : — This Committee have claims for reimbursement by the War Depart- 
ment of advances made for the outfit, &c. of regiments of Volunteers. 

Sixty-six of the New York regiments have been aided by the Committee ; but 
the larger appropriations made by them were confined to about half that number 
of regiments. 

You are doubtle.ss aware that among the earliest of the regiments which arrived 
in Washington, between the 20th of April and the 10th of May, were those which 
were mainly sent forward by this Committee. The President, the Secretary of 
War, and General Scott were kind enough to say, at that time, that the Capital 
had been saved by the energetic action of the Union Defense Committee. It 
claims no further credit than to have done its duty in carrying out the wishes of 
the loyal citizens of New York. 

Tlie funds employed for the aid of the Government were principally derived 
from the fund created by the City authorities and the reimbursement is pledged 
for the redemption of the Stock issued to create the fund. 

Officers of the War Department have for .some months past been engaged in 
paying similar demands, and the Disbursing Ofl!icers, on this station, have 
encouraged the Committee to present its claims in tlie same manner as other 
parties. 

These Inlls, thus submitted, have been, on reference to the Adjutant General, 
rejected by him. The only conrse left is to appeal from that decision to the 
Secretary of War. 

This has been done in a communication, forwarded to-day, to Secretary Stanton. 

Unless some personal intervention occurs the danger is that the Secretary may, 
without examination, refer the case again to the Adjutant General, who has 
already prejudged it. 



95 

Will you be able to find time to see the Secretary early to-morrow and mention 
the subject, so far as to ask for a personal decision by him ; or, if it becomes 
necessary, to retain the papers until the Committee can be heard before tha 
Department. 

The case is one of pressing importance to the financial interests of the City of 
New York. If these claims are rejected, or the settlement long delayed, the 
Comptroller will be compelled to place the whole amount disbursed for the outfit 
of regiments (not far from 650,000 dollars,) in the tax levy of the present- i/ear, and 
you are aware how heavy the burden is already. 

The City Government and the Committee have acted in unison in making these 
advances, and they continue thus to act, in the duty of claiming the reimburse- 
ment. The communication to the War Department is signed by the Officers of 
the Committee and the Comptroller of the City. 

Your kindness in calling on the Secretary in time to confer with him before a 
reference is made of the papers (without examination,) will be gratefully ac- 
knowledged by the Committee. 

A rough copy of the principal letter, (addressed to Mr. Cameron,) but forward- 
ed to Mr. Stanton to-day, will go with this, which you will much oblige by 
returning when you have read it. 

In haste, 

Very refepectfully and truly, 

Yours, 

P. M. WETMORE, 
(Approved.) Sec. Ex. Com. 

S. DRAPER, 

Chairman Ex. Com, 



HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, ) 

Adjutaxt-Genekal's Office, J 

Washington, D. C, February \lth, 1862. 
Hon. Elijah Ward, M. C, 

House of Representatives. 

Sir : — At your request, I have the honor to forward to you the accompanying 
papers in relation to the Union Defense Committee of New York. It appears 
that in m}' letter of the 17th of December, 1861, to Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, 
a very important omission has occurred. The letter reads : " no accounts of this 
kind can be paid from the appropriation," &c. ; it should have read " can be 
paid by you fi'om," <kc. It was not intended to give an opinion that the accounts 
of the Union Defense Committee were not chargeable against this fund. It was 
intended to state that the Union Defense Committee should settle their accounts at 



96 

the Treasury Department, in the same manner as is done by the State Govern- 
ments. Some of the accounts of the Committee appear chargeable against the 
fund for " Collecting, Drilling and Organizing Volunteers ;" some against the 
Quarter-Master's Department ; some against the Subsistence Department ; some 
against the Medical Department ; and possibly, some against the Ordnance De- 
partment. These accounts should not be settled by Col. Nichols — besides this, 
he has sufficient business to transact, without this amount of examination and 
adjustment of accounts to be re-examined and readjusted at the Treasury De- 
partment where they might more properly be sent direct. 

In conclusion, I have the honor to state that the facts as herein set forth were 
represented to Capt. Carr, of the New York Mustering and Disbursing Office in 
New York, when I was there, the day after Christmas, and he stated that he 
vould inform the Committee of the omission that had been made in my letter 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) GEO. D. RUGGLES, 

Assist<nit-Adjut.ant General. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YOKK, 

ExEcnTivE Committee, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, 

Neiv York, Feb. 26, 1862. 
Hon. Elijah Ward, &c. 

Dear Sir: — I have to acknowledge your obliging favor of 13th inst., covering 
communication of Assistant Adjutant-General George D. Ruggles, bearing date 
11th inst., in reference to certain claims of the Union Defense Committee, sub- 
mitted to the War Department for reimbursement. 

I cannot perceive that the amendment suggested by Assistant Adjutant-General 
Ruggles, to the former decision in this case, alters in any sense the position of the 
claims now before the Department for its action. 

The law of Congress, approved July 27th, 1861, No. 18, has esjiecial reference to 
States, and it is quite apparent that the Union Defense Committee cannot be 
brought within its operation. The claims under notice are clearl}' " chargeable 
against the fund for collecting, drilling, and organizing Volunteers ;" and they 
are chargeable against no other fund. They are all for subsistence furnished to 
the De Kalb Regiment, Forty-first New York Volunteers, and they have been ex- 
amined and virtually approved by Colonel D. B. Sackett, late Mustering Officer, 
and are stated and certified upon forms suggested by him. 

These claims are identical in character and equity with those daily and hourly 
paid at the Mustering Office in this city. They are the only claims on the part of 



97 

this Committee which have yet been brought to the cognizance of the Adjutant- 
General's office. I caiiuot discover the pertinency of an objection to the payment 
of these bills, arising from the fact that others which the Committee have not yet 
presented, may be deemed properly chargeable against other departments 

It seems to me, as it does to the Committee for whom I speak, that a just claim, 
for the payment of which means have been provided and specifically appropriated, 
should be paid without unnecessary delay. When the existence of the Grovern- 
meut was in peril, the Union Defense Committee did not hesitate to employ their 
means and their influence in organizing and forwarding Vohxnteers to secure the 
safety of the Capital 

These duties of patriotism were actively continued so long as the exigencies of 
the Government required them, and they have not entirely ceased up to this date. 

The National crisis is past ; the people have furnished the means for redeeming 
the obligations which have been incurred by the Government. 

The Union Defense Committee now simply ask that they may liave the same 
justice meted to them which is extended to all other citizens. They have never 
withheld their personal eflForts to serve the public cause, and they are not satisfied 
with the answer that the examination of their claims will involve some amount 
of labor. In the present instance, as in reference to all otbers coming under the 
head of subsistence, the time and labor of examining and reimbursing the claims 
of the Union Defense Committee, would have been far less than has been occupied 
in the correspondence relating to them — on the one side, in regard to form ; on the 
other, in advocating the simplest principles of equity. 

The Committee are under a deep sense of obligation for the kind assistance you 
have given them. 

I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 



S. DRAPER, 

Chairman Ex. Com. 



Of record, 

P. M. WETMORE, 

Sec^y K.t. Com. 



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MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS, 



14 



COMMUNICATION TO THE PRESIDENT. 



New York, April 21st, 1861. 
To THE President of the United States. 

Sir : — On behalf of the Committee of citizens charged with the due attention 
to the public interests, and invested with this power by the Mass Meeting of 
Saturday, we take leave respectfully to represent to the Government at Washing- 
ton, that intense solicitude prevails here for the safety of the City of Washington, 
and an earnest demand that a safe and speedy communication should be kept 
open between the seat of Government and the loyal States. Whatever force of 
men or supply of means is needed to occupy and control the necessary points in 
the State of Maryland, can be furnished from or through New York. 

The energy, the enthusiasm, the power, in every form of our people, it is 
impossible to overrate. But their demands upon the action of all the public 
authorities are proportionate. The absolute obliteration of all party lines among 
our whole population, and their perfect union in enthusiastic patriotism, makes 
it, in our judgment, highly expedient that there should be present in this city, 
persons who can, in case of emergency, represent the War, Navy, and Treasury 
Departments, in giving tlie authority of the Government to movements of troops 
and vessels, the stoppage of steamers, the provisions of arms, and the many steps 
which may need to be taken without an opportiinity of communicating with 
Washington. 

We feel to-day that our Government and the city of Washington are in a 
hostile country, with communication embarrassed and in danger of being wholly 
cut off. If disaster happens from this course, the excitement of our people may 
lead them into strong expressions of discontent, and the present happy state of 
public sentiment in universal support of the Administration may be succeeded 
by a reaction of feeling greatly to be deplored. 

Respectfully asking the attention of the Government to these suggestions, 

We are, with great respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

WM. M. EVARTS, 
R. M. BLATCHFORD, 
M. H. GRINNELL. 



104 
REPORT OF COMMITTEE 



Union Defense Committee, 

New York, May 17, 1861 



.[ 



The Special Committee, appointed pursuant to the resolution of the Executive 
Copamittee, passed 11th instant, to proceed to Washington to urge the acceptance 
by the General Government of the several Regiments of Volunteers now organized 
and in process of organization in this City, respectfully rei:)ort : 

That your Committee left here on Tuesday and i-eaclied Washington, via 
Annapolis, the same evening. 

On the following day, lay appointment made for them by the Secretary of State, 
your Committee met the President and his Cabinet, all the members of which 
were present. At this interview your Committee presented the resolutions which 
were adopted by the Executive Committee, and they fully stated the object of 
their appointment, the condition of the Volunteer Regiments organized and those 
in process of organization in this City. 

This elicited free and frank discussion on the part of all present. The President 
and his Cabinet, while conceding the propriety of adhering to the quota of troops 
assigned to the State of New York, yet viewing her j)eculiar position and the 
necessity of the case, after consulting with Lieut. -General Scott, promptly and 
unhesitatingly directed an order to be issued immediately for the acceptance of 
fourteen additional regiments, to serve during the war, which should be selected 
by the Union Defense Committee of the City of New York, for immediate service. 

Your Committee have been deeply impressed with the assurances of the high 
appreciation in which the President, his Cabinet, and Lieut-General Scott, hold 
the patriotic and valuable aid rendered to the country by the City of New York 
and her citizens in the organization of the Union Defense Committee, no higher 
evidence of which could be given than by thus delegating to this Committee the 
selection of these fourteen regiments. 

While in Washington, your Committee, through the courtesy of the Secretary 
at War, were invited to be present with the President and the Cabinet, at a review 
of several of the Volunteer regiments, and to visit the camp grounds of the New 
York regiments. It is with much pride and pleasure your Committee bear 
witness to their high state of discipline, their excellent health, as well as to the 
zeal and patriotism they manifest in the service of tlieir country 

In closing the report of their visit to Washington, your Committee take great 
pleasure in testifying to their cordial reception by the President of the United 
States, the members of his Cabinet, and Lieutanant-General Scott, all of whom 
were found to be actuated by a determination to respond to the universal desire 
of the community to have the existing war prosecuted in the most vigorous 
manner, both by land and by sea, and through its successful prosecution and 
early termination to re-establish the title of the United States of America to the 
name of the " Great Republic," a title and a name thenceforth never again to be 



105 

called in question at home or abroad ; over the whole of whose domain the Stars 
and Stripes shall float as the sole and honored symbol of American Nationality. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 

SAMUEL SLOAN, Chairman. 

R. M. BLATCHFORD, 

CHAS. H RUSSELL, 

A. A. LOW, 

A. C RICHARDS, '^Committee. 

J. J. ASTOR, .Ik., 

R H. McCURDY, 

S. DRAPER, 



The report was accepted, and on motion of Governor Fish, thanks were unani- 
mously voted to the Committee for the prompt, able and efficient manner in 
which they had discharged the responsible duties confided to them. 



RESOLUTIONS IN RELATION TO GENERAL DIX. 

Union Defense Committee, } 

New York, May 20, 1861. \ 

The Select Committee appointed by the Union Defense Committee on the 8th of 
May instant, to prepare a minute expressing the high estimation in which they 
hold the patriotic and efficient services of General Dix, ask leave to report the 
following resolutions : 

Resolved, — That this Committee tender their warmest thanks to the Honorable 
John A. Dix, for the prompt, efficient, courteous, and patriotic discharge of his 
arduous duties as Chairman hi this Committee; that while we deeply regret his 
resignation and the consequent loss of his counsels, we nevertheless rejoice our- 
selves, and congratulate the Government that the services of Major-General Dix 
have been secured to the Army, for the defense of the integrity, the glory, and 
the liberties of our country. 

Resolved, — That in General Dix, we recognize a patriot worthy of his patriot 
sires ; that we desire to express our confidence in the eminent ability and fitness 
of General Dix to fill the high and responsible command to which he has been 
called, and that there will go with him to the field of conflict, the pride, the 
hopes, the sympathies and the prayers of every member of this Committee. 

Resolved, — :That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the Chairman and 
Secretary of this Committee, be presented to General Dix. 



106 



LIEUTENANT SLEMMER 



On motion of Mr. Low, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted : 
UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE \ 

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YOKK, V 

New York, May 29, 1861. J 

Whereas, Tlie existing crisis lias brought forth two classes of men hitherto 
more or less known as officers in the Army and Navy of the United States, who 
have alike sworn to support the Constitution and defend the honor of the United 
States of America ; and in the hour of trial one class has proved faitliful, uphold- 
ing and defending the Stars and Stripes, and the other class has added to infidel- 
ity the crime of treason. 

And, Wher^eas, Lieutenant Slemmee, of the United States Army, by his timely 
removal to Fort Pickens with a handful of men, and his successful defense of 
that Fort against a numerous band of rebels, has displayed a degree of loyalty 
and courage which entitles him to the gratitude of a just and generous commu- 
nity ; therefore, 

Resolved, That the Committee do take great pleasure in expressing their high 
appreciation of the services of Lieutenant Slemmer, whose fidelity, fortitude and 
unceasing watchfulness have preserved to the use of the United States, one of 
its distant possessions, around which the armies of the rebels have gathered in 
vain. 

Resolved, That the Committee regard the defenders of Fort Sumter and Fort 
Pickens as belonging to the same order of men, as alike heroic and alike devoted 
in the hour of trial, and thereYore do respectfully recommend Lieutenant Slemmeb 
to the Government of the United States as wortliy of honorable recognition. 

Resolved, That coj^ies of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be transmitted 
to the President of the United States and Lieutenant Slemmer. 

The following letter from Lieutenant Slemmer was read, and ordered to be 
entered on the minutes : 

AsTOR House, New York, June 13th, 1861. 
Mr. Wm. M. Evarts, — 

Dear Sir : — Your letter of May 30th, enclosing the resolutions of the Union 
Defense Committee of the City of New York, is received. 

Permit me to express to them, through you, my most heartfelt thanks for such 
expressions of their esteem and approval. 

I am, Sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

A. J. SLEMMER, v 

1st Lieut. 1st Artillery. 



107 



RETIREMENT OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SCOTT. 



At a special meeting of the Union Defense Committee, held on the 4th day of 
November, 1861, at their rooms, at 12 o'clock, noon, Hon. Robert T. Haws in the 
Chair : 

Mr. Low stated the object of the meeting to be to give proper expression of the 
sentiments of the Committee in regard to the " Retirement of Lieutenant-General 
Scott" from the command of the United States Army. 

Mr. Low read a preamble and resolutions submitted on behalf of Mr. Draper, 
the yice-Chairman, who was absent. Whereupon, on motion of Judge Pierke- 
POKT, it was 

Resolved, That the subject of the proper mode of tendering due honors to 
Lieutenant-General Scott, on his retirement from the command of the Army, 
be referred to a Select Committee of Jive, to be appointed by the Chair, and that 
the resolutions submitted at this time be referred to that Committee when 
appointed. 

It was further Resolved, — That when the Committee should adjourn, it would 
be to assemble at the call of the Chairman of the Select Committee. 

The Chair thereupon appointed the Select Committee as follows : 

Edwards Pierrepoxt, Chairman. 
A. A. Low. R. A. Witthaus. 

A. T. Stewart. R. H. McCurdy. 

Ordered, — That the Chairman of the Union Defense Committee, Governor 
Hamilton Fish, be added to the Select Committee. 
The Committee then adjourned. 



HONORS TO GENERAL SCOTT. 



Friday, November Sth, 1861. 

At a quarter past 11 o clock, A.M., those members of the Committee in attend- 
ance at the Brevoort House, in accordance with the call of the Select Committee, 
were notified that General Scutt was ready to receive them in his parlor 

The Committee, led by the Chairman, Governor Hamilton Fish, immediately 
entered, and the General, with those of his military family present, rose to receive 
them. The Committee remained standing, and the interview was very impressive. 

Judge Pierrepont addressed the General as follows : 

General Scott : The Union Defense Committee of the City of New York call to 
present to you their compliments, their homage, and their respect, alike too high 



108 

and too profound for words to express. They ask the honor to take you hj the 
hand, and througli the eloctric chain by which the heart communicates with 
heart, to tell you what the tongue cannot utter. Before you leave the shores of 
this, your native land, perhaps forever, we wish for ourselves and for those whom 
we represent, to express to you our thanks and our gratitude for what you have 
so nobly done for the preservation of the integrity of this great nation, of which 
we have been so proud, and of this constitutional liberty which we so much love- 

We are not unmindful of the great difficulties under which you have labored 
and of the ti-ying scenes in which you have been placed. But it is difficulty and 
trial which test the purity of a patriot's virtues ; and it is because you have come 
out of the fiery ordeal with every gem in your patriot diadem more bright, that we 
come to do you honor. The soil of that ancient State which nurtured a General 
Washington and bred a General Scott, while men slept the enemy sowed with 
the seed of traitors ; and in your mother's house you were called to draw your 
sword against your mother's sons, because those sons were your country's foes 
and you did not falter. The honors of the starry flag, under which the young 
hero earned his dawning fame, were as bright and as dear to the old hero in his 
declining day, as when they shone at Lundy's Lane. 

The advents of true patriots and great men are always separated by long inter- 
vals of years ; but few have ever appeared ; and in the whole circuit of the sun 
scarce one who had the wisdom and the courage to resign his power until death 
called for his crown, his sceptre, or his sword. 

It will be the crowning glory of your honored life, that after remaining at the 
old soldier's post until all imminent danger to your country was over — until you 
had called a brave young soldier to your side, instructed him in all the wisdom 
of your experienced age, placed your mantle upon his shoulders, and called down 
the blessing of God upon him and your country's cause — that you had the wisdom 
from on high to retire at the fitting hour, and thus to make the glories of your 
setting svm ineflFably more bright for the radiant lustre which they shed upon the 
young and dawning hope of your beloved land. I present to you the Union 
Defense Committee, with whom you did so cordially co-operate in the early perils 
of this war. I speak the sentiments of each and all, when I say that their bless- 
ings and their prayers will follow you " upon the great deep and into foreign 
lands." Your many battles, all of which were victories, we need not here enume- 
rate. But now when your departure is at hand, and we know not what may 
befall lis, we can truly say at parting. You have fought the good fight, you have 
kept the patriot's and the Christian's faith ; on earth you will leave a name of 
imperishable renown, and in Heaven, by God's mercy, there will await you a 
crown of glory, which can never fade away. 

General Scott replied as follows : 

Gentlemen of the Union Defense Committee, I am in a poor condition to meet 
you on this great occasion. I am at this moment laboring under much dizziness. 
I would wish to rise to the height of the present moment, but ni}- physical 
inability will cause me utterly to fail in my wishes. I feel that I am greatly 
honored— honored by those to whom honor is due. I feel that I am not only in 
the bosom of my countrymen, of my fellow-citizens, of the town in which I have 



109 

lived more or less for the past forty odd years— but I feel I am in the bosom of 
my friends. Oh ! for one moment of brightness, that I might do justice to my 
feelings — some small justice to the dignity and weight of this company. 

I go, gentlemen, across the ocean for a short period, and for a special purpose — 
for the chance of getting rid of this dizziness, which perplexes me almost every 
moment, and in the hope of finding some relief for the infirmities I have labored 
under for many years, and which have been greatly increased by the unceasing 
labors of the last ten or eleven months. 

It is my expectation to return again to that country to which I am, like your- 
selves, wholly devoted. All that country, I mean the Union, commenced with 
the good Old Thirteen States, I hope will soon be made up again to its Thirty-four- 

Though I have been compelled to retire from the field, I have the consolation 
to be able to assure you that the command of the Army is in competent hands. 
My opinion of the .subject may have some weight with you. 

I leave in the field Generals of great ability — Major-Generals McClellan and 
Halleck — of a high order of intellect, of scientific attainments, of much ability 
in all military afi'airs, and of excellent judgment and discretion. Under their 
command, and those of the Brigadier-Generals, I have no doubt the armies of the 
country will be led to victory. I have no doubt that in their hands the destinies 
of the country will be safe, and I have no doiibt that they will achieve a suc- 
cessful and honorable peace within a few months, and that the great blessings of 
peace will again be restored to us within a reasonable period. 

I have considerable confidence in the administration of the country. I do not 
speak of party- confidence, for I have long ceased to be a party man. I have 
great confidence in the President. He is a man of capacity, untiring zeal and 
conscientiousness. It is due for me to say that he is not a President of my making. 
I had no part nor lot in his election. I confess that he has agreeably disappointed 
me. He is a man of great ability, fidelity and patriotism. I could speak in a 
similar maner of several members of the Cabinet, but I forbear. 

I do not know that I can say more. It will be my pride as well as my pleasure 
to return home soon, as I hope to do, where I have experienced so much favor 
and kindness from a large circle of friends. I must take leave of you soon, but 
I will say a few more words. On the breaking out of this great civil war, I 
recollect the great and important services rendered by the Union Defense Com- 
mittee. I remember how you sustained the government by forwarding troops for 
the defense of the National Capital ; how, by your zeal in equipping and sending 
forward with the means at your disposal, large bodies of patriotic and excellent 
troops, which came in good time, the tide of rebellion, which commenced at 
Baltimore, was turned against the enemies of our country'. The government had 
not the means of defending itself where they were most needed. This Committee 
came forward and applied the remedy, and averted the danger. 

I wish again to thank the Committee in my own behalf ; I know they have 
the sincere and most grateful thanks of the Government. I would wish to say 
much more, but must take my leave of you. 

Governor Fish then said : 

I ask permission on behalf of my associates of the Union Defense Committee 

15 



110 

to present theiu individually, that they may enjoy the privilege of taking the 
hand that for more than fifty years has wielded the sword always effectually, and 
always with the view to the restoration of peace, and whose pen has never written 
a word that was not full of nohle sentiment. Let me present to you each member 
of the Committee to take an affectionate leave. 

Governor Fish then presented the individual members of the Committee to the 
General, for each of whom he had a parting word, and they then withdrew from 
a scene which was most touching and impressive. 



APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT'S COURSE. 



Union Defense Committee, ) 
New York, December 10, 1861. j 

The following preamble and resolutions, submitted by Mr. Sloax, having been 
duly seconded, were unanimously adopted, viz. : 

Whereas, — The citizens of New York, in mass meeting assembled, on the 20th 
of April, 1861, did 

Resolve, That it is the duty of all good citizens, overlooking past differences 
of opinion, to contribute by all the means in their power to maintain the Union 
of the States, to defend the Constitution, to preserve the National Flag from 
insult, and uphold the authority of the Government against acts of lawless vio- 
lence, which, if longer unresisted would inevitably end ip breaking down all 
the barriers erected by our Fathers for the protection of life, liberty and property, 
and involve the country in anarchy and confusion, and 

Whekeas, — The President of the United States, manfully and patriotically, in ' 
his message declares that, " In considering the policy to be adopted for suppress- 
ing the insurrection, I have been anxious and careful that the inevitable conflict 
for this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent and remorseless revohitionary 
struggle, I have therefore in every case thought it proper to keep the integrity 
of the Union prominent as the primary object of the contest on our part, and 
that ' the Union must be preserved,' and hence all disposable means must be 
employed. We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme 
measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable ;" 
therefore, 

Resolved, That this Committee do most heartily approve tlie patriotic senti- 
ments of President Lincoln, and we trust that he may receive the united support 
of all good citizens who stand by the Union, the Constitution, and the Laws. 

Resolved, That we deprecate the discussion of projects which tend to disturb 
and alienate the Union sentiment of our people. 

Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted to the President of 
the United States. 

Resolved, That these proceedings be published. 

Whereupon the meeting adjourned. 



Ill 



COPY OF LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT 



To Abkaham Lincoln, President, <^c., Sfc. 



Union Defense Committee, 

New York, December 11, 1861. 



Sir : — I liave tlie honor to enclose to you, by direction of the Union Defense 
Committee of the city of New York, the resolutions unanimously adopted by 
that Committee, at a meeting held on the 10th of December, instant 

I am, with great respect. 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) 

WILLIAM M. EVARTS, 

Secretary U. D. Committee. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 



SUGGESTION FOR IRON-CLADS. 

The followins; communications read and ordered to be transmitted to the 
Navy Department : 

[Copy.] New Yokk, Mmj 10, 1862, J 

142 Greenwich street. ) 
.loHN Jacob Astor, Jr., Esq., 

Union Defense C ommittee . 

Dear Sir — I called to see you yesterday, at the Committee Rooms, to show you 
the reply of Commodore Breese to the letter you kindly gave me, addressed to 
him. Enclosed, I hand you a copy of it, with the copy of a letter from Com- 
mander Ward of the " North Carolina." Both of these gentlemen expressed 
themselves much pleased with the plan of the gun-boat, and appeared to think 
something would be done with it at Washington. 

I also hand you a letter (copy) received from Capt. George S Greene, late of 
the United States army, a graduate of West Point, at present assisting Mr. Alfred 
W. Craven, in the Croton Water Works extension. Capt Greene is a thoroughly 
practical man of great ability and experience. That vessels of this description 
are needed, and must be resorted to, to destroy batteries that are being, and have 
been created at points which menace the Federal power, and where it would be 
impossible to send vessels of greater draft, and where, if they were sent, if not 



112 

protected, as we propose to protect tliis, they would certainly be destroyed with 
hot shot and shell, must be apparent to every one who has given attention to the 
subject. One such battery as this for such purposes, would accomplish more 
than a fleet of wooden craft, and save hundreds of lives. 

We believe this battery, constructed as we propose to construct it, will be entirely 
shot and shell proof, (the mail being five inches thick) which will enable it to 
engage at quarters close enough to destroy anything its guns are brought to bear 
against, without damage to itself By constantly moving and presenting but a 
small and uncertain mark for the enemy, it will have the advantage of being 
able to concentrate its own fire upon a single point, and with the guns it is capa- 
ble of carrying (two of the largest calibre.) discharged at short range, the de- 
struction of anything, as we have said, seems to us almost a certainty. 

We believe this gun-boat could pass the forts in Charleston Harbor, unscathed, 
and could efi"ectually shell the city ; and there is nothing certainly that -rt-ould 
so speedily put an end to hostilities, and bring the South to their senses, as the 
rediiction of this modern Sodom — this hot-bed of treason and traitors. 

Capt. Ward suggested that such a boat on the Mississippi would be of great 
service in attacking and destroying the batteries which are being erected on its 
banks, the light draft of seven feet permitting it to go almost anywhere. 

If Charleston and other Southern cities are to be taken, (as they of course 
will be in one way or another,) by a land attack, it must be at the sacrifice of 
thousands of men, and millions of money. If the same result can be accomplished 
without the lo.-^s of any lives, and at the comparatively trifling expense that 
my proposed battery would cost, is it not, in view of the strong testimonials I 
have the pleasure to enclose to you, and from gentlemen who were strangers to 
me, worth the experiment. Mr. Rowland, who has assisted me in developing the 
mechanical part of the battery, and who is an engineer of much experience and 
ability, goes to Washington on Monday, with the model and drawings, and a 
letter from your Committee, recommending the project, if it meets your ajjproba- 
tion would go far towards futhering our success. I should feel much indebted 
for a few lines to Secretary Welles in commendation of the plans, and will call 
upon you on Monday, hoping to receive them, when I will hand you the origi- 
nals of the enclosed copies. As your Committee may desire to know something 
of my antecedents before giving me the letter, I take the liberty of referring you 
(without permission) to Mr. Robert B. Minturn, to whom I am well known, and 
for whom I have transacted some business. I believe I take no risk in stating 
that he will say a good word for me. 

Regretting the trouble I must necessarily put you to in complying with my 
request, or if you cannot comply with it, thanking you very kindly for the inte- 
rest you have already taken, and for the great service the letter you gave me to 
the Navy yard will do me in presenting my battery to the Government. 

I remain, very respectfully, yours, 

C. W. WHITNEY. 



113 



[Copy.] Receiving-Ship "North Carolina,") 

\Oth of May, 1861. \ 

Messrs. Whitney & Rowland have exhibited to me, and asked my opinion on a 
plan of iron-clad, light draft gun-boat, to be propelled by steam, and having guns 
(two in number) mounted in casemated turn-tables, pretty much after the man- 
ner proposed by Captain Cowper Coles of the British navy. The general idea is 
an excellent one, and so the details seem on inspection, and so far as can be judged 
by inspection, to be good, the only question arising in my mind having reference 
to ventilation. Captain Coles' plan has not met with professional favor, for 
reasons which appertain to the sea exclusively, but do not weigh against it for 
use in smooth water. It is quite propable that under many conceivable circum- 
stances in military experience, the plan in question, as exhibited by Messrs. 
Whitney & Rowland might be carried out with great advantage. 

(Signed) 

J. W. WARD, 

Commander U. S. Navy. 



[Copy.] CROTON AQUEDUCT DEPARTMENT, 

Engineer's Office, 

New York, May 2d, 1861 



I 



Messrs. Whitney & Rowland have explained to me their proposed plan for a 
steam floating battery, covered with an iron shield, and intended to be shot-proof. 
I think the plan worthy of careful consideration, from the necessity of such 
structures, and the merits of the proposed plan. I believe these gentlemen capable 
of carrying out any mechanical undertaking which they may engage in. 

(Signed) 

G. S. GREENE, . 

Engineer in charge Croton Water Works Extension. 



[Copy.] 

Having examined the model of an iron-clad floating battery proposed, by C. 
W. Whitney and T. F Rowland, I am strongly impressed with the opinion that 
a vessel so constructed, if faithfully rivetted, and otherwise perfected, would be 
admirably adapted for harbor defences, or for the attack upon batteries, and 
would be impenetrable to shells or shot at ordinary distances. The plan is well 
worthy the consideration of Government. 

(Signed) 

SAMUEL L. BREESE, 
Navy Board, Commandant. 

New York, May ^th, 1861. 



114 



GENERAL DIMENSIONS OF BATTERY. 

Length between perpendiculars 140 feet 

Breadth of beam 28 " 

Draft of water when ready for action 7 " 

Height of battery above water 6 " 

Diameter of gun-tables 15 " 

Average thickness of slate composing the hull 7-16 inches 

Average thickness of armor 5 " 

" " " domes 5^ << 

Diameter of propellers 6 feet 

Will make from 12 to 14 knots. Can be completed in four months. 



SEVENTH REGIMENT 



[Copy.] Union Defense Committee, ) 

New York, May Zlst, 1861. ) 
In Executive Committee. 

Resolved, That this Committee desire to express theii; cordial recognition of 
the efficient services rendered to the cause of the country at a critical emergency 
of its public affairs, by the Seventh Regiment of the New York State Militia, com- 
manded by Col. Marshal Leflferts, and sharing fully in the general feeling of 
gratification which pervades this community at learning that the Commanding 
General of the United States Army, under the sanction of the President of the 
United States, has acknowledged, in special general orders, " the important service 
rendered by that regiment in an hour of dark and trying necessity," the Com- 
mittee desire to unite their congratulations with those of their fellow citizens, in 
extending a welcome to cheer the return of a body of soldiers who have conferred 
such high honor on the city of New York. 

Resolved, That' this Committee will take pleasure in attending the reception 
to be given to the Seventh Regiment on its arrival in this city to-morrow. 

Resolved, That these proceedings be published, and a copy furnished to Col. 
Lefferts. 

[Extract from the Minutes.] 



Prosper M. Wetmore, 

Secretary Executive C ommittee . 



J. J. ASTOR, Jr., 
Chairman Pro', tern. Executive Committee. 



115 



0. BLUNT'S REPORT 



St. Louis, Mo., November 25th, 1861. 
P. M. Wetmore, Secretarij. 

Dear Sir — I arrived at this place on Sunday morning. 

At the earliest possible moment I called on the Commissioners appointed by 
the United States to hear claims against the Government for articles and sup- 
plies furnished to General J. C. Fremont. 

I was received handsomely by them, and my case taken up in preference to 
any other. I explained every item in the bills to their entire satisfaction, and 
verified their justice and correctness under oath as they required in every case 
before they pass any claim. They informed me they would report to Washing- 
ton without delay, and they would no doubt receive funds to pay the claims in 
St. Louis. There is no doubt that the claims will now be paid in a short time, 

I am well convinced that the Union Defense Committee of the city of New 
York has done much to save St. Louis and the State of Missouri from the hands 
of the rebel mob, by furnishing General J. C. Fremont arms and ammunition, as 
they are the only articles, with a few exceptions, that have been of any service 
to him. 

I will be at home in a few days, and will report further. 

Yours respectfully, 

ORISON BLUNT. 



CORBESPONDENCE 



GOVERNOE MOEGAN 



AND OFFICERS OP THE 



STATE GOVERNMENT. 



16 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



[Copy.] STATE OF NEW YORK. 

Executive Department, ) 

Albany, October '25th, 1861. J 

SiK — I am directed, by Grovernor Morgan, to submit herewith a letter received 
by him from Col. Riley of the (40th) Mozart Regiment. You will have observed 
that by a recent general order (77) from the War Department, the Paymaster- 
General of the U. S. A. has been ordered to arrange for the payment of volun- 
teers, when organized and accepted by the Governors of the several States, with- 
out regard to the date of mustering into the service of the United States, provided 
payment has not been made by the respective States, for which the Government 
will be eventually liable. 

I am directed to ask you if anything was paid the volunteers composing the 
Mozart Regiment, by the Union Defense Committee, previous to their being mus- 
tered into the United States service, that you will inform the Governor of the 
amount. 

It is presumed that the acceptance of volunteer organizations by the Union 
Defense Committee will not be regarded by the War Department as an accept- 
ance by the Governor, and whether the Governor can or ought now to accept as 
of the date at which the Mozart Regiment was accepted by the Union Defense 
Committee, is a question which it may be quite important to settle. Will you 
have the goodness, therefore, to advise the Governor from what date the Mozart 
Regiment should be paid. 

I am, with much respect, yours, &c., 
L. L. DOTY, 

Private Secretary. 

Will you have the kindness to return the inclosed letter of Col. Riley, after 
reading it. 

Simeon Draper, 

Chairman of the Union Defense 

C ommittee of New York City. 



120 



* UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE 1 

Of the Citizens of New York, >■ 

Office, No. 30 Pine Street. ) 
Executive Committee. 

Ne\7 York, October 2dth, 1861. 

Sir — I am instructed to acknowledge the letter of 25tli ultimo, addressed to 
tlie Chairman of the Union Defence Committee, by the Private Secretary of your 
Excellency, covering communication from Col. Edward J. Riley, commanding 
40th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols. 

In reply to your inquiries, I have to state that no payment has ever been made 
by the Union Defense Committee to the individual volunteers composing the 
Moz,art Regiment. It was accepted by the Committee on the 25th of May, as one 
of the regiments authorized to be raised by the order of the War Department, 
of the 15th of that month, and the advances made to it, amounting to about 
sixty-seven thousand dollars were for its equipment and outfit. 

The Committee have no means of determining what view will be taken by 
the War Department in regard to the acceptance as affecting the action of the 
State authorities. But justice to the volunteers, mustered into the service of the 
United States, would seem to call for such action on the part of the Governor, not 
inconsistent with provisions of law, as would place all the State regiments now 
in the field upon an equality of rights and privileges. 

The pay to those volunteers must necessarily come from the United States, and 
as the Secretary of War was acquainted with the date of acceptance, the Govern- 
ment is protected against any wrong. The approval by the Governor of the 
period of acceptance, so far as the Committee can judge, involves no responsi- 
bility on the part of the State, and is simply a precedent action necessary to 
obtain for the volunteers the pay which they have earned, and which the Gov- 
ernment is ready and desirous to give. 

The letter of Colonel Riley is returned as requested. 

Very respectfully, 

For the Union Defense Committee, 

S. DRAPER, 

Chairman Executive Committee. 

Of Record, 

P. M. WETMORE, 
His Excellency, Secretary Executive Committee. 

E. D. MORGAN, 

Governor, Sfc. 



121 



[Copy.] Genebal Head Quarters, State of New York, \ 

Adjutant General's Office, \ 

Albany, Deumher IQth, 1861. 
Hon. Simeon Draper, 

Chairman Union Defense Committee, New York: 

Sir — The operations of the Union Defense Committee have embraced the 
arming, equipment, and preparing for active service several of the New York 
Volunteer Regiments now in the field. 

It seems to me to be proper that your patriotic and timely eflbrts should be 
appropriately noticed in the report to be made to the Legislature from this De- 
partment. 

I have, therefore, to request you will at as early a day as possible, furnish me 
with a list of the regiments sent off under the auspices of the Committee, with 
such information respecting the clothing, arming, and eqiaipment of each regi- 
ment as you may be able to give. 

I am. Sir, 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

THOMAS HILLHOUSE, 

Adjutant General. 



[Copy.] Union Defense Committee, ) 

New York, December IQth, 1861. J 
Executive Committee 

General — I am instructed to acknowledge the courtesy which dictated your 
communication addressed to the Vice-Chairman under date the 10th instant, 
which was received in his absence. The Union Defense Committee was the creation 
of the citizens of New York in mass meeting assembled on the 20th day of 
April last, and its members entered upon the discharge of their onerous duties 
with an earnest desire to do all in their power to aid " the movements of the Gov- 
ernment as the public interests might require. 

Recognizing the supreme authority of the State Government in the organiza- 
tion of volunteer regiments, and appreciating fully the zeal and public spirit of 
the Executive Magistrate in the discharge of his official obligations, the Com- 
mittee have only sought to fulfil a subordinate duty, in fitting out and facilitating 
the progress of regiments to the seat of war. 

With the exception of four regiments hereinafter named, the action of the 
Committee had reference to the miltia and volunteer corps accepted by the War De- 
partment as the State quota ; and it is proper to say that in man}' instances the aid 
afforded was exceedingly limited in amount, and extended only to the furnish- 
ing of flags, or supplying some slight deficiency of outfit to ofiicers or men. 



122 

Of the whole number of regiments from the State of New York, placed in the 
field under the call of the President of the United States, this Committee have 
aided in some degree, sixty-six. 

This number embraces most of the militia regiments which entered for the 
short term of service under the first call, and a portion of the volunteer regi- 
ments enlisted for the war. 

Four regiments were organized, uniformed, and completely equipped by the 
Committee, namely, the Garibaldi Guard, Col. D'Utassy ; the Mozart Regiment, 
Col. Riley ; the De Kalb Regiment, Col. Von Gilsa ; and the Tammany Regiment, 
Col. Kennedy. These are now known on the State rolls as the 39th, 40th, 41st, 
and 42d Regiments of N. Y. S. Volunteers. 

In addition to the four regiments above-named as having been exclusively 
provided for by the Committee, the following are among the number which re- 
ceived effectual aid in their organization: 



OF THE MILITIA. 

Second Regiment Col. Tompkins. 

Fifth do " Schwarzwaelder. 

Sixth do " Pinckney. 

Seventh do " Lefi'erts. 

Eighth do " Lyons. 

Ninth do " Styles. 

Twelfth do " Butterfield. 

Sixty-ninth Regiment " Corcoran. 

Seventy-first do " Martin. 

Seventy-ninth do Lt. Col. Elliott. 

OF THE VOLUNTEERS. 

First Regiment Col. Allen. 

Fourth do " Taylor. 

Fifth do " Duryee. 

Seventh do " Bendix. 

Eighth do " Blenker. 

Ninth do " Hawkins. 

Tenth do " McChesney. 

Eleventh do '• Ellsworth. 

Fifteenth do " Murphy. 

Twentieth do " Weber. 

Twenty-fifth Regiment " Kerrigan. 

Thirty-first do " Pratt. 

Thirty-sixth do " Innis. 

Thirty-eighth do " Ward. 

Excelsior do " Sickles. 

To the regiments not named in the above list the sums appropriated were less 
than tliree thousand dollars in each case. 



123 

The average cost of the entire outfit and equipme'ib of the four regiments 
accepted by the War Department under the order of 15th of May last, and sent 
forth under the auspices of the Committee, exclusive of arms, but including 
rations ^for the whole period occupied in the organization, was about fifty-three 
thousand dollars. 

The uniforms were selected by the commanding officers, but the contracts or 
purchases were in each instance made under the direction of a Select Com- 
mittee, and it is believed that the outfit and equipment of each were as complete 
as could be made under the circumstances. 

The expenditures of the Committee were commenced from a fund provided 
by the voluntary contribution of the citizens of New York. This fund was al- 
most immediately enlarged by the munificent grant of a million of dollars by the 
city of New York. Out of this fund the sum of two hundred and thirty thou- 
sand dollars was appropriated and disbursed under the direction of a Select Com- 
mittee, in weekly payments, to the families of volunteers in the field. 

The Committee look to the Government of the United States for the reim- 
bursement of such advances to regiments of Volunteers as come properly within 
the regulations of the army, and the proceeds of such reimbursement are to be 
applied to the redemption of the stock issued by the city to create the fund. 

The Committee have the satisfaction of adding, that they have already pro- 
vided for the redemption of nearly seventy thousand dollars of City Bonds from 
the proceeds of arms, &;c., sold to the War Department. 

The Committee refer to their several reports made to the Common Council 
from time to time, printed copies of which have been addressed to the Adjutant 
General's office, and to the accompanying table, which purports to give the en- 
tire list of regiments forming the quota of the State of New York, and indicates 
those with which the Committee have had transactions, embracing alike the 
largest and smallest in amount. 

The citizens of New York can scarcely fail to feel grateful for the opportunity 
afforded them of aiding so eflfectually in the noble efforts made by the State for 
the support of the Constitution and laws of the country. 

With high respect. 

Your obedient servant, 

PROSPER M. WETMORE 

Secretary Executive Committee. 

(Approved,) S. DRAPER, 

Chairman Executive Committee. 

Brigadier General 

Thomas HiLLHotrsE, 

Adjutant-General, Albany, N. Y. 



124 



[Copy.] Union Defense Committee, ) 

New York, January 2S>th, 1862. J 

Hon. P. A. Porter, 

House of Assembli/, Albant/ : 

Sir — The undersigned liave great pleasure in furnishing the information de- 
sired by you as a member of the House of Assembly, in a personal interview 
with their Secretary, on the the 24th instant. 

The Union Defense Committee, was appointed at a mass meeting of the 
citizens of New York held on the 20th of April, 1861. The duties confided to the 
Committee, by resolution of the meeting, were declared to be " to represent the 
citizens in the collection of funds, and the transaction of such other business in 
aid of the movements of the Government as the public interest may require." 

On the 25th of the same month, the Common Council of the] City of New 
York, with the approval of the Mayor, adopted an ordinance " making an appro- 
priation in aid of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money 
for that purpose." A copy of the said ordinance will be found in the volume of 
Reports hereinafter mentioned, page 7 The appropriation was declared to be " for 
the purpose of procuring the necessary equipments and outfits of the military force 
of the city of New York, now engaged, or which may hereafter be engaged, in 
the service of the State of New \ork, in pursuance of the requisition of the 
President of the United States, and to provide for the aid or support of the fami- 
lies of such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same " 

The Committee was organized, and the members entered upon their duties 
without delay. The names of the several officers, and the arrangement of 
Select Committees, for the efScient transaction of business, will be found by 
reference to the printed reports transmitted herewith. 

Acting in concert with the representatives of the Municipal authorities, and 
having the control of a fund created by them, the Committee considered it an 
incumbent duty to make reports to the Common Council, from time to time, of 
the progress of their labors. These reports, bearing dates respectively, the 20th 
of May, the 29tli of June, the 21st of August, and the 31st of August, have been 
printed by order of the Common Council, and a copy of the same accompanies 
this communication. 

By reference to the table contained in the report of the 21st of August, [Doc 
No. 18, pages 54, 56,] it will appear that from the fund created by the ordinance, 
amounting to one million of dollars, there had been appropriated and paid the 
following sums, namely ; 



125 

To the regiments of New York State Militia, the gross amount, . . $157,336 97 
To twentj-five regiments of New York Volunteers, " "... 349*846 23 

To fourteen regiments of Volunteers (incomplete), " "... 24 947 77 

Total amount expended on forty-nine organizations .' . . $532,130 97 

Amount expended for arms and munitions of war 226 589 27 

Total millitary expenditures ^753 72O 24 

Amount appropriated to relief of families 23o'oOO 00 

Total expenditure from city fund up to date of report $988,720 24 

Remaining unexpended on the 31st of August 11279 76 

$1,000,000 00 

Of the balance remaining as above, the items of expenditure to military organi- 
zatioas will appear in the final report of the Committee. 

All appropriations for military purposes have been drawn from the city trea- 
sury upon warrants on the Comptroller, signed by three duly authorized officers 
of the Committee, countersigned by the Treasurer, and accompanied by vouchers 
which are retained in the Comptroller's office. 

The amounts appropriated from time to time, in aid of families, were drawn 
upon warrants issued in favor of the Select Committee charged with that duty, 
which warrants are also lodged in the Comptroller's office. This branch of the 
duties confided to the Committee was completed on the 18th of July, and the 
final report on that subject, embracing all the details, is fully set forth bv the 
Select Committee under date of 31st of August, (pages 57, 71). It is proper to 
add, that a dep itation from the Common Council, and also of citizens from the 
several wards acted in ooacert with the Committee in the discharge of this 
duty of benevolence. 

Before leaving this latter topic, it may be observed that the relief provided 
for the families of soldiers in the field, was an act of thoughtful charity and hu- 
mane legislation, the beneficial eft'ect of which can scarcely be estimated. Many 
thousands of women and children, without this resource, must have been left 
utterly destitute. The fund was administered with the considerate kindness due 
to its deserving recipients, and with the regularity and fidelity that belonged 
to its sacred character. 

With the view to communicate information which is constantly applied fo», 
on the subject of relief to families, it may be proper to state that the Union De- 
fense Committee have had no connection whatever with that subject since July 
last. An appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars was made subsequently, 
by the City Government, and disbursed under the authority and direction "of 
the Comptroller, aided by the same faithful and intelligent agents who had pre- 
viously discharged that duty. This appropriation was exhausted at the close of 
November. A further sum has since been appropriated by the Municipal autho- 
rities, of which the entire charge has been placed in the hands of the Comptrol- 
ler, and it is scarcely necessary to express the confident assurance that the zeal 
and fidelity of that officer, will fully redeem the obligations of the trust confided 
to him. 

17 



126 

Whether the authorities of the State of New York will recognize the claim of 
the city for reimbursement of the whole, or any part of the sums appropriated 
in aid of the families of soldiers who have volunteered in the public defence, is 
a question resting between the Municipal authorities and the Legislature. 

The Union Defense Committee, however, have felt it to be a duty incum- 
bent on them before finally closing their labors, to submit to the Grovernment of 
the United States claims for reimbursement of advances made to organized re- 
giments under the several heads of outfit and equipment. 

These claims are now in process of being stated for adjustment, and a portion 
are already before the different bureaus of the War Department. It can scarcely 
be a matter of doubt that the demands will be promptly responded to. The ac- 
tive agency of the city of New York, in concert with the vigorous and efficient 
movements of the Executive of the State, was sensibly felt, and warmly recog- 
nized by the officers of the National Government, when its immediate- safety if 
not its ultimate existence was endangered. 

The claims represented by the Committee on behalf of the city of New York, 
against the United States, cannot be accurately stated, until each separate ac- 
count, with its accompanying vouchers, is brought within the limits of expendi- 
ture controlled by the army regulations. A general view, however, may be 
obtained from the following statement : 

Gross expenditures for military purposes §758,720 24 

Since 31st of August 11,279 76 

$770,000 00 

Less amount received from War Department for arms, &c., reim- 
bursed to Comptroller, and applied to redem'ption of stock. . . . 67,000 00 

$703,000 00 
Less, also, amount of bill for arms sold to Ordnance Department, 

and passed for payment to be applied as above 40,000 00 

Approximate balance to debit of United States $663,000 00 

The duty of the Committee in preparing and urging these claims for adjust- 
ment and payment, is pursued with all needful zeal and assiduity. No measures 
will be omitted to secure an early and favorable result. 

In the hasty preparation of this response to your inquiries, the desire has 
been to make it as frank and full as the circumstances would admit. The books 
and accounts of the Committee are at all times accessible to the proper author- 
ity*, and the Committee have great satisfaction in believing that their transac- 
tions, involving so large an expenditure of money, and aflecting interests so 
vitally important to the country, have been conducted in a manne» that will 
justify the public approbation. 

With sentiments of high respect, 

Your obedient servants, 
A. A. Low, Treasurer, C. H. Marshall, 

S. Draper, CWnaan Ex. Com., Isaac Bell, 

R. H. McCtJRDY, Edwards Piekrepont, 

M. H. Grinnell, R. M. Blatcufokd, 

Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex. Com. 



127 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 

New Yoek, December, 1861. 

LIST OF VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK 
ENLISTED FOR THE WAR. 

No of Reg't. I N F A X T R Y . 

1st. c. Colonel W. H. Alien, N. Y. National Zouaves. . 

2d. c. " J. B. Carr, Troy. 

Sd. " F. Townsend, Albany. 

4tli. c. " A. W. Taylor, N. Y. First Scott Life Guard. 

5th. c. " G. K. Warren, " First Advance Guard, Col. Duryee. 

6th. c. " Wm. Wilson, " Wilson's Zouave.s. 

7th. c. " Edward Kapff, " 

8th. c. ■ " L. Blenker, " First German Rifles. 

9th. c. " R. C. Hawkins, " Hawkins Zouaves. 

10th. c. " J. E. Bendix, " National Zouaves, McChesney. 

11th. c. " C. McK. :^eoser, " First Fire Zouaves, Ellsworth. 

12th. " E. L. Walrath, Syracuse. 

13th. " J. F. Quimby, Rochester. 

14th. " Jas. McQuade, Oneida. 

15tli. c. " J. McLeod Murpliy, N. Y. Sappers and Miners. 

16th. " T. A. Davis, N. Y. 

17th. c. " H. S. Lansing, Westchester Co. Westchester Chasseurs. 

18th. " W. L. Jackson, Albany. 

19th " J. S. Clark, Cayuga Co. 

20th. c. " Max Weber, N. Y. United. Turner Rifles. 

21st. " W. F. Rogers, Buffalo. 

22d. " W. Phelps, Jr., Essex Co. 

23d. " H. C. Hoflmann, Chemung Co. 

24th. " T. Sullivan, Oswego. 

25th. c. " J. E. Kerrigan, N. Y. Union Rangers. . 

26th. " W. H. Christian, Utica. 

27th " H. W. Slocum, " 

28th. " D. Donnelly, Niagara Co. 

29th. " A. V Steinwehr, N. Y. 

30th. " Edward Frisby, Reusellaer Co. 

31st. r. " C. E. Pratt, N. Y. Montezuma Batt. W. H. Brown. 

32d. c. « R. ('. Matheson, N. Y. First California Reg't Col. Baker. 

33d. " R. F. Taylor, Rochester. 

34th. " W. LaDue, Jefferson Co. 

35th. " W. C. Brown, " 

36th. c. " C H. Innis, N. Y. Washington Volunteers. 

37th. c. " J. H. McCuun, N. Y. 75th Rifles. 

38th. c. " J. H. H. Ward, " Second Scott Life Guard. 

39th. C-. " D'Utassy, " Garibaldi Guard. 



128 



No.ofReg't. INFANTRY. 

40tli. c. Colonel E. J. Riley, New York, Mozart Regiment. 

41st. c. " L. V. Gilsa, " DeKalb Regiment. 

42d. c. " Kennedy now Cogswell, N. Y. Tammany Regiment. 

43d. c. " D. W. Vinton, Albany. 

44tli. " G. W. Stryker, " 

45th. c. " A. V. Amsberg, N. Y. Fifth German Rifles. 

46th. c. " R. Rosa, " Fremont Regiment. 

47th. c. " H. Moore, Jr., Imp'l Zouaves, Merritt, Washington Grays. 

48th. c. •*' A. H. Perry, Brooklyn, First Continental Guard. 

49th. " AH. Bidwell, Buffalo. 

50th. " Charles Stuart, Elmira D. 

51st. c. " Edward Ferrero, N. Y. Shepherd Rifles. 

52d. c. " F. Frank, " Sigel Rifles. 

53d. c. " L. D'Epineuil, " D'Epineuil Zouaves. 

54th. c. " E. Kozlay, " Barney Rifles. 

55th. c. " R. DeTrobriand, " 55th Militia, Lafayette Guard. 

56th. " C. H. Van Wyck, Orange Co. 

57th. c. " S K. Zook, N. Y. Sixth Militia National Guard Rifles. 

58th. c. " Krysanowiski. N. Y. Polish Legion. 

59th. " W. A. Tidball, " U. S. Vanguard. 

60th. c. " R. A. Haynard, Ogdensburg, Peoples' Ellsworth Regiment. 

61st. - " S. Cone, N. Y. Clinton Guard. 

62d. c. " J. L. Riker, N. Y. Anderson's Zouaves. 

63d. c. " J. E. Enright, " Third Irish. 

64th. " J. E. Parker, Elmira D. 

65th. c. " J Cochrane, N. Y. Chasseurs. 

66th. c. " J. C. Pinckney, N. Y. Sixth Militia. - 

67th. c. " J. A. Adams,. Brooklyn, L. I. Volunteers. 

68th. ■ " G. Betge, N Y. Cameron Rifles. 

69th. c. " E. Nugent, " Sixty- ninth Militia. 

70th. c. " Lt.-Col. Dwight, N. Y. Sickles' Brigade. 

71st. " Williamson, " " 

72d. " Taylor, " « 

73d. " Brewster, " " 

74th. " Isham, ' " « 

75th. " J. A. Dodge, Auburn. 

76th. " A. C. Green, Elmira D. 

77th. " McKean, Saratoga, Co. 

78th. " S. M. Elliott, N. Y. 

79th. c. " J. Stevens, " Seventy-ninth Militia. 

80th. " G. W. Pratt, Kingston. Twentieth Militia. 

81st. " E. Rose, Elmira D. 

82d. c. « G. W. B. Tompkins, N. Y. Second Militia. 

83d. c. " J. W. Styles, " Ninth Militia. 

84th. c. " A. M. Wood, Brooklyn, Fourteenth Militia. 

85th. " A. M. Davis, Elmira, D. 

86th. " D. T. Bailey, « 



129 



No. of Keg't. INFANTRY. 

87th. Colonel S. E. Dodge, Brooklyn. 

88th. c. " H. M. Baker, N. Y. 4th Irish. 

89th. " Koble, Albany. 

90th. " Jos S. Morgan, Brooklyn 



No.ofRegt. ARTILLERY, &C. 

1st. c. N. Y. Battalion Artillery, 4 companies, Col. Brickel, N. Y. 

2d. c. N. Y. Battalion Artillery, 4 companies, Lt.-Col. Mott, N. Y. 

1st. Regiment Artillery, 12 companies, Lt.-Col. Bailey, N. Y. 

2d. Regiment Artillery, 12 companies. Col. Palmer, Albany. 

c, German Heavy Artillery, Col Senges, N. Y. 

1st. c. Regiment Engineer^ and Artisans, Col Serrell, N. Y. 

c. Coast Guard, Bartlett. 



0. of Reg't. 


CAVALRY 


REGIMENTS. 


1st. c. 


McReynolds, N. Y., 


Lincoln Cavalry. 


2d. 


Morrison, Troy, 


Black Horse Cavalry. 


3d. 


Van Allen, N. Y. 


Van Allen Cavalry. 


4th. c. 


Dickel, " 


Mounted Rifles. 


5th. 


DeForrest, " 


First Ira Harris Cavalry. 


6th. 


T. C. Devin " 


Second " " 


6th. c. 


J. M. Davies, " 


Harris Light Cavalry. 


8th.' 


Crook's, Rochester. 




9th. 


Beardsley, Albany. 




10th. c. 


Meagher, N. Y. • 


Fifth Irish. 



N. Y. STATE MILITIA REGIMENTS RETURNED. 

7th. c. Col. Lefferts, N. Y. National Guard. Thirty days. 

5th c. " SchwarzwaTder, N. Y Three months. 

6th. c. " Pinckey, " " 

8th. c. « Lyons, " " 

12th. c. " Butterfield, " " 

13th. c. " Smith, Brooklyn, " 

20th. " Pratt, N. Y " 

25th. " Bryan. " 

28th. c. " Bennett, Brooklyn, " 

69th. c. " Corcoran, N.Y " 

71st. c. , " Martin, " " 

11 Regiments short term. 



130 



RECAPITULATION : 

90 Regiments Volunteer Infantry. 

10 » " Cavalry. 

5 " " Artillery. 

1 " " Engineers. 

1 " " Coast Guard. 

Total 107 Volunteer N. Y. Regiments for the War, of which 

66 Regiments aided by U. D. C. are marked c. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH ORISON BLUNT. 



New York, December 30, 1861. 

Sir ;— The Union Defense Committee of the citizens of New York have resolved 
that a testimonial be presented to you as an expression of the sense entertained 
by them of the valuable services rendered by you to the Committee, and have 
made me their representative to present in their name and behalf the silver vase 
and the gold medal which accompany this note. 

During the period of trial and excitement which immediately followed the 
breaking out of the existing iniquitous insurrection, while the active energies of 
the Government were temporarily suspended and paralyzed, you freely and gra- 
tuitously tendered to the Union Defense Committee your services and your pro- 
fessional skill, judgment and experience, in matters relating to military arms and 
munitions of war. • 

The tender was gratfefully accepted, and proved to be 'of such value that the 
Committee were unable to dispense with it during the period of their extreme 
activity. 

Although you were not a member of the Committee, it is no disparagement to 
the activity and devotion of the most active ifaembers of that body (many of 
whom were, for many weeks, gratuitously and unremittingly devoted to' itS' 
labors,) to say that none of them rendered more service, or brought to its duties 
more energy or devotion than you. 

Your purchases, amounting to upwards of $200,000, were judiciously selected, 
and were made at most reasonable prices. You procured, free of rent, a building 
for the storage of the purchases of the Committee, and you attended to the re- 
ceipt, and to the distribution of these purchases ; not unfrequently after a day of 
anxious toil and of excitement, devoting the night to the necessity of expediting 
arms and ammunitions at an early hour the following morning. For several 
weeks your labors knew no rest. 



131 

These efficient and valuable services were rendered in a spirit of loyalty and 
of patriotism, that rose ahove the consideration of pecuniary reward, which you 
have disclaimed and refused — those services were given gratuitously. 

The Union Defense Committee now present to you the accompanying vase and 
medal as a testimonial, and in expression of their high sense of the generous 
spirit of patriotism which prompted the gratuitous and valuable service which 
they noMf gratefully acknowledge. 

With great respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed,) HAMILTON FISH, 

Chairman U. D. C. 



New York, May 20th, 1862. 
Hamilton Fish, Esq. 

Sir — Yours of December 30th last was received, together with the silver vase 
and gold medal. 

You state the Union Defense Committee presented me the accompanying, as a 
testimonial, in appreciation of their high sense of the generous spirit of patriot- 
ism which prompted me in rendering them valuable services 

I can only say that the Government is indebted, in a great measure, to the 
Union Defense Committee of the citizens of New York for their prompt and ener- 
getic action in raising money and sending many thousand men to protect the 
Capital of this Government from such an iniquitous rebellion, while (as you 
state) the active energies of the Government were temporarily suspended and 
paralyzed. 

The Committee was in session for some time, night and day, and was always 
ready to render any assistance to any soldiers passing through our city on their 
way to the seat of war. At the time the bridges were burned near Baltimore, 
and our communication cut off from Washington for some days, the Committee 
learned by private information that there was no powder in Fortress Monroe. 
They immediately directed me to send a sufficient quantity for the protection of 
the Fort, which gave them a supply until the proper requisitions could be made. 

After the general Government had got under full operation in recruiting, the 
Cpmmittee directed me to sell to the general Government all the arms and am- 
munition that was owned by the Committee, at cost prices, although parties 
wished to purchase them at a much higher price. 

The Committee also directed me to send to General John C. Fremont, at cost 
prices, arms and ammunition, which was done, and were of great service to him ; 
and were at less than half the price charged by other parties for the same article, 
which amounted to, in all, over one hundred and six thousand dollars, which 
amount I have collected and paid over to Robert T. Haws, Comptroller of the 
City of New York, as I was directed to do. And I carried out the wish and di- 



132 

rections of the Committee as I received them, from time to time, and I am grati- 
fied to know that it has all been done to their satisfaction, and the testimonial 
that I have received will be appreciated. 
I remain, 

Yours, respectfully, 

(Signed,) ORISON BLUNT. 



DEATH OF GENERAL JAMES S. WADSWORTH. 



General Wadsworth commanded a Division in the Army of the Potomac, and 
was killed in battle, in Virginia, in May, 1864. 



UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 



4 



Of the Citizens or New York 

New York, May 2\st, 1864. 
Information having been received of the death of General James S. Wadsworth, 
a member of this Committee from its first organization, the members were invit- 
ed to attend a meeting this day. 

The chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to render a fitting 
tribute of respect to the memory of an honored associate and friend, who had 
fallen in battle in defense of the rights and honor of his country : 

Judge PiERREPONT spoko as follows : 

Mr. Chairman — To preserve in sacred memory, the honored life and the noble 
death of our late lamented associate and friend. General James S. Wadsworth ; I 
propose, on behalf of the Union Defense Committee, of which he was a most zeal- 
ous member, the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That when we consider, that from the very beginning of this war, 
General Wadsworth — a wealthy, cultured and honored gentleman — impelled by 
a high sense of duty and of right, left his home of beauty, of luxury, of affection 
and of love, to sacrifice every pleasure — to devote his every hour — to spend the 
weary winter in the frontier camp — to soothe and cheer the home-sick dying 
soldier — to waste much of his private fortune, to imperil his own health, and 
finally, to offer up his willing life in his country's cause — we can find on the roll 
of history no record of a braver, truer man, or of a more devoted Patriot. 

Resolved, (While we tender to the bereaved wife and the afiiicted family of the 
illustrious dead, our deepest sympathies and our holiest condolence,) That "light 
is mingled with the gloom, and joy with grief;" that he died, as a brave patriot' 
loves to die ; that he fell in the van of battle, leading his brave soldiers against 
the foe ; and the last si ght which gleamed on his fading eye was the high-wav- 
ing flag of his country and of liberty ; and the last sound that fell upon his dying 



133 

ear was the shout of victory ! To snch a soul there could he no happier time 
"for the dust to return to the earth as it was ; and for the spirit to return unto 
God who gave it !" 

Resolved, That by his devoted life, and by his glorious death, he leaves to his 
children the heritage of an imperishable name, and to coming generations a 
bright example for patriots to imitate. 

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be entered and kei:)t among the 
records of this Committee, and that a copy of the same be presented to the family 
of the deceased. 

On motion of Charles H. Marshall, seconded by Robert H. McCurdy, the reso- 
lutions were unanimously adopted. 

• HAMILTON FISH, Chairman. 

William M. Evarts, Secretary. 



The Secretary read copy of letter addressed by Major-General J. A. Dix, to the 
Secretary of War, as follows : 

HEAD-QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST, ) 

New York City, May 19th 1864. f 

Hon. E. M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War. 

Sir :— I respectfully suggest that the name of Wadsworth be given to one of the 
Forts in this Harbor. At this juncture it strikes me as peculiarly appropriate, 
and I am sure it would be well received by our whole community. I do not 
know why Fort Richmond is so called. The records of the Engineer Depart- 
ment may show. With my present information, it suggests nothing to my mind, 
but some passages in British history, and a city sheltering traitors in arms 
against the government. If there is any reason why this name cannot be 
changed for another which is identified with our own history, at the most criti- 
cal period of our existence, and adorned with the manliest virtues, the Fort at 
Sandy Hook is without a name, and may be made a medium for transmitting to 
posterity, one eminently endeared to the people of this State. 

I am, very respectfully. 

Your ob't servt., 

(Signed,) JOHN A. DIX, 

Maj, Gen'l, 



18 



134 

The following letter, in support of the suggestion made by General Dix, was 
prepared and signed by the members present, and subseqitently by others, viz. : 

UNION DEFENSE COMMITTEE, 1 

New York, May 21st, 1864. J 

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War. 

Sir : — The undersigned members of the Union Defense Committee desire to ex- 
press to you their approval of the suggestion made by Major-General Dix for 
giving the name of the lamented General Wadsworth to one of the Forts in this i 

Harbor, and earnestly to request that it be adopted. 

General Wadsworth leaves a brilliant name in our national annals, and his 
memory will be cherished in this his native State, for his public services and his 
eminent personal worth. 

The undersigned sincerely hope it may not be incompatible with other obliga- 
tions of duty to comply with the suggestion of General Dix. 

With high respect. 

Your ob't servants, 

Hamilton Fish, William M. Evarts, 

A. A. Low, Sam. Sloan, 

Charles H. Marshall, Isaac Bell, 

RoRERT H. McCdrdt, Charles H. Russell, 

M. H. Grinnell, R. M. Blatchford, 

Edwards Pierrepont, J J. Astor, Jr., 

William E. Dodge, R. A. Witthaus, 
Prosper M. Wetmore. 

The Chairman thereupon adjourned the Committee. 



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